J. Gunnis Davis

born: 21 December 1873 Sunderland, Tyne-And-Wear, England

died: 22 March 1937 Los Angeles, California, United States of America (papilloma of bladder and hemorrhaging, age 63)

British actor, J. Gunnis Davis arrived in the US in January 1904 from England as Joseph G. Davis which was his name in UK records including his birth, marriage (1902), and 1881 and 1891 Censuses. He used the given name "James" in subsequent US records starting with the 1905 New York City Census. In England he first appeared on the stage at age 2 or 3 with his actor parents. He directed or co-directed 74 serial chapters for the "Hazards of Helen" serials from 1914-1917. His remains are interred in the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery, Los Angeles. Most sources incorrectly list his death date as 23 March, which comes from his obituary.

Real name: Joseph Gunnis Davis Height: 5'6½"

Films listed on this page: complete Hal Roach filmography.

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1935 Bonnie Scotland Gamekeeper DEATH CERTIFICATE (click any image to enlarge) Acknowledgements: Ancestry.com ("Eng & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915": "Joe Guniss" Davis: Sunderland, Durham) Ancestry.com ("1881 Census Scotland": "Joseph G" Davis: age 7 with parents & siblings) https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/8312471:6598 1891 (Census ENG: London: "Joe G Davis") Ancestry.com ("Eng & Wales, Civil Marriage Registration Index, 1837-1915": 1902 "Joseph Gunnis Davis" marriage) Ancestry.com ("N.Y., U.S.A., Arriving Passengers and Crew Lists, 1820-1957": 1904 Jan 10: "Joseph G Davis") https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPFZ-73Y (1905 Census Manhattan: "James G Davis", actor) Ancestry.com (1910 Census Manhattan: 1910 Census: "James Gunnis-Davis" actor with wife & son) Ancestry.com (1915 Census Ft. Lee, NJ: 1915 Census: "James G Davis" actor with wife & son) https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/32833108:6482 (1917/18 Draft: Ft. Lee NJ: "James Gunnis Davis, actor: World Film Co) https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1193/images/30627_150963-00877?pId=4259505 (1925 Apr, LA: "James Gunnis Davis" citizenship) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPWW-B5KG (1937 March 22: LA Death Certificate: "James Gunnis Davis": names wf & parents) "Chicago Tribune" 1937 March 24 p.18: "Gunnis Davis" obit: on stage at age 2. Jim Jarvis (research and bio notes) Craig Calman (help) This page was last updated on: 07 July 2022