William Bruce Davis (born January 13, 1938) is a Canadian actor, known for his role as the Cigarette Smoking Man on The X-Files. He has also appeared in Stargate SG-1 as Damaris, a Prior of the Ori and as Mayor Tate on Smallville. Most recently he has appeared in ABC's Masters of Science Fiction as the President of the United States.
Davis was born in Toronto, Canada, to an attorney father and psychologist mother. A former drama professor at Bishop's University, he is the founder of the William Davis Centre for Actors Study acting school in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also a former national champion water skier. Despite being known for his smoking character, Davis actually quit smoking in the 1970s; when The X-Files started up, he was given a choice between herbal cigarettes and actual cigarettes. At first he chose the actual cigarettes, but switched to herbal shortly after for fear of becoming addicted again while playing the Cigarette Smoking Man.
In 2006, Davis filmed a role in WWE Films' The Condemned starring Stone Cold Steve Austin. Davis also hosts and narrates the series Critical Eye on the Science Channel.
Quit smoking in the late 1970s.
Smoked herbal cigarettes while filming "X Files, The" (1993).
A spokesman for the Canadian Cancer Society.
A Canadian national champion water-skier in his division.
Formerly owned and operated the Vancouver-based William Davis Centre for Actors' Study, an acting school for beginners and professionals.
Wrote the "X Files, The" (1993) episode "En Ami" (# 7.15) 3/19/2000, which delved into the history of his character, The Cigarette-Smoking Man.
Former drama professor at Bishop's University, Canada, before opening up William Davis Centre for Acting Study.
His favorite "X Files, The" (1993) episode is "Talitha Cumi" (3.24).
Has 2 daughters, one is a dancer
