Jim Davis dies

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 19

Jim Davis dies

PA Los Angeles The actor, Jim Davis, who plays Jock Ewing, head of the Ewing clan in the American television series “Dallas,” has died at Los Angeles at the age of 65. His wife of 31 years, Blanche, a former professional swimmer, was with him when he died in his sleep at his ranch home.

Davis had a stomach operation last month and part of the filming of “Dallas” was revised so that he could recuperate. Born in Dearborn, Missouri, which gave him his slow, drawling speech, Davis starred opposite Bette Davis as a young man.

But it was in later years, after his hair turned white, that he became one of Hollywood’s top actors.

He appeared in more than 150 films, including “Apache Warrior,” “Rio Lobo” and “Big Jake,” often playing cowboys.

He also appeared in a variety of television series, including “The Streets of San Francisco” and “The Cowboys.” But it was as Jock Ewing, the ageing oilman trying to keep his family together despite the backstabbing of his son, J. R., played by Larry Hagman, that Davis was best known.