William B. Davis - Wikipedia William B. Davis For other people with the same name, see William Davis. William B. Davis William B. Davis in 2011 William Bruce Davis ( 1938 - 01 - 13 ) January 13, 1938 ( age 80 ) Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nationality Canadian Occupation Actor, director Years active 1949 -- present Spouse ( s ) Emmanuelle Davis ( m. 2011 ) Children 2 daughters, Melinda and Rebecca Website williambdavis.com William Bruce Davis ( born January 13, 1938 ) is a Canadian actor and director, best known for his role as the Cigarette Smoking Man on The X-Files. Besides appearing in many TV programs and movies, Davis founded his own acting school, the William Davis Centre for Actors Study. In his personal life, Davis is an avid water - skier, lectures on skepticism at events such as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry 's CSICon, and advocates for action on climate change. In 2011 Davis published his memoir, Where There 's Smoke... The Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man. Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Skepticism 5 Filmography 5.1 Film 5.2 Television 6 References 7 External links Early life and education Davis was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a lawyer father and psychologist mother. He began his acting career as a child in 1949, in radio drama and summer stock theatre. His cousins Murray and Donald Davis ran the Straw Hat Players in Ontario in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and rehearsed in the basement of Davis ' house. When they needed a boy they gave William his first professional acting job. He went on from there to have a career as a boy actor on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio before his voice broke. In 1955 he enrolled in the University of Toronto to study philosophy, but actively pursued a career as an actor alongside future actor Donald Sutherland. In 1959, he graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. While at university he switched his attention from acting to directing and with his partner, Karl Jaffary, took over and ran the Straw Hat Players for four years. Career In 1960 Davis went to England to train at LAMDA ( The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art ). He worked in the UK for the next five years directing in repertory theatres and acting schools. He was artistic director of the Dundee Repertory Theatre. His last position in the UK was as an assistant director at The National Theatre of Great Britain under Laurence Olivier where he worked with Albert Finney, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, and Ronald Pickup among others. He returned to Canada in 1965 to work at The National Theatre School of Canada and soon, at the age of 28, was appointed artistic director of the English Acting Section. During this period he was also active as a freelance director at major Canadian theatres. In 1971 he joined the newly formed Drama Department at Bishop 's University in Lennoxvile, Quebec. While there he became the founding artistic director of Festival Lennoxville, a professional summer theatre that ran for the next decade. Returning to Toronto in the late seventies Davis spent several years as a radio drama director and on the faculty of Humber College. In demand as an acting teacher during this period, he resumed acting after an absence of nearly twenty years. Davis earned a number of roles on stage and film before accepting the position of artistic director of the Vancouver Playhouse Acting School, which required relocating with his wife and family. Davis writes in his memoir, `` And so, in the fall of 1985, we hitched our second hand boat to our second hand car and drove across the country ''. While his time at the Vancouver Playhouse was short - lived, he remained in Vancouver where he founded his own acting school, The William Davis Centre for Actors Study, a training ground for several future stars including Lucy Lawless. Acting roles became more frequent leading to his iconic role, The Smoking Man ( also referred to as `` The Cancer Man '' ), on The X-Files where he made frequent appearances for the next nine years. In addition to The X-Files, Davis has played a wide range of roles, on series from Stargate SG - 1 to Smallville and a host of television movies and other projects. From time to time he attends fan conventions, signing autographs and copies of his memoir. In recent years Davis has returned to directing for theatre and film. He wrote and directed three short films and co-wrote and directed several episodes of a television series for CBC Television, 49th & Main. In 2011 he directed two plays for The United Players of Vancouver, Waste by Harley Granville Barker and Hay Fever by Noël Coward. Most recently he directed The Habit of Art ( 2013 ) by Alan Bennett, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily ( 2015 ) by Katie Forgette and Robert Bolt 's A Man for All Seasons at the Jericho Arts Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. During that period, he also aired in 10 episodes of the Canadian hit show Continuum as Older Alec Sadler on Showcase. Most recently, Davis reprised his iconic X-Files role in the six - episode Season 10. Personal life Despite being known for his smoking character, Davis quit smoking in the 1970s ; when The X-Files started up, he was given a choice between herbal cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. At first, he chose to use tobacco cigarettes, but switched to herbal because he was afraid of becoming addicted to them again. Davis used his notoriety on the show to assist the Canadian Cancer Society in its programs to combat smoking. In 2014, Davis donated his investments that support fossil fuels to the David Suzuki Foundation in an effort to both ethically invest, and help fund work to fight climate change. Davis is a passionate advocate for action in response to climate change, believes it is a critical issue of our time and speaks on the subject often. Taking action on a personal level, Davis drives a Tesla powered by hydroelectricity. He is also a former national champion water skier and for a time held various records in older age divisions. In a conversation with Brendan Beiser, Davis states he holds the record for tricks in his age category, adding `` I did hold the slalom record until this past year until some young whippersnapper of 65 from Ontario took the record away from me ''. In 2011, Davis married Emmanuelle Herpin. He has two daughters, Melinda and Rebecca, from an earlier marriage. He also has two grandchildren. Skepticism William B. Davis participating in `` Skepticism and the Media '' panel at CSICon 2011 in New Orleans While on The X-Files, Davis was constantly challenged by The X-Files fans about his non-belief in the paranormal and aliens. Davis credits Barry Beyerstein and Committee for Skeptical Inquiry ( CSI ) for introducing him to the skeptic community. Davis became increasingly involved in the skeptical movement and began to give lectures as a skeptical spokesman at universities across North America and at skeptic conventions, including CSI 's CSICon in New Orleans. When asked about his belief in the paranormal at the London Film and Comic Con in 2010, Davis replied, `` The onus is on you to prove the extraordinary... I did a lot of research and saw where a lot of the arguments were wanting. '' Interviewed by Jacob Fortin on guilt about being a skeptic on a show that Richard Dawkins campaigned against, Davis replied that at first he had some trepidation until realizing that Dawkins `` had no evidence whatsoever and presented none '' that the show encouraged people to think uncritically. `` The show is fiction... it is n't a documentary. '' In another interview with Justin Trottier of Center for Inquiry Canada Davis answered similarly, adding that from his own informal polls of audiences of X-Files fans it seemed there was no greater belief in the paranormal than the normal population and he comforted himself with this thought. Asked about a debate Davis moderated with alien abduction believer John E. Mack, Davis said that many people expected him to support Mack, but they discovered that he was `` way on the other side ''. Davis recounted that he had some great discussions with Mack ; `` He was brilliant... he was wrong, but he was very good... One of the problems with human intelligence is that we are so good at defending ideas that we arrived at irrationally. '' Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes The Dead Zone Ambulance Driver 1985 The Cuckoo Bird Ted Television movie 1985 Head Office University Dean Deadly Deception Lawyer Television movie Sworn to Silence Peter Massio Television movie The Little Match Girl Dr. Sam Easton Television movie 1989 Beyond the Stars Hal Simon 1989 Matinee Heath Harris Television movie 1989 Look Who 's Talking Drug Doctor 1990 Anything to Survive Dr. Reynolds Television movie 1990 It Mr. Gedreau Television movie 1991 Omen IV : The Awakening Lawyer ( uncredited ) Television movie 1991 The Hitman Dr. Atkins 1992 Diagnosis Murder Marvin Parkins Television movie 1994 Heart of a Child Vern Television movie 1994 Beyond Suspicion Capt. Dick Roth Television movie 1994 Do n't Talk to Strangers Huddleston Television movie 1995 Dangerous Intentions Group Leader 1995 Not Our Son Police Chief ( uncredited ) Television movie 1995 Circumstances Unknown Gene Reuschel Television movie 1995 Courting Justice Dr. Alexander Television movie Unforgettable Dr. Smoot The Limbic Region Teacher Television movie 1998 The X-Files The Smoking Man 1998 The Last Tzaddik Mr. Drazien Short film 1998 Voyage of Terror Dr. Norman Ellisy Television movie 1999 Murder Most Likely Detective Inspector Television movie 2000 Perpetrators of the Crime Henderson 2000 Killing Moon Ed Television movie 2000 Becoming Dick Dr. Hardwin Television movie 2001 The Proposal Agent Frank Gruning 2001 Out of Line Russell 2001 Mindstorm Parish 2001 Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back The Smoking Man Uncredited 2001 Andhrax Tye Crow 2002 Polished Phillip Short film 2002 Aftermath Deputy Director Edwards 2002 Damaged Care Dr. Sam Verbush Television movie 2002 Body & Soul Dr. Edward A. Esseff 2002 Saint Sinner Father Michael Television movie 2002 100 Days in the Jungle N / A Television movie 2003 Broken Saints Benjamin Palmer 2003 Arbor Vitae Old Soul Short film 2003 Word of Honor Lewis Kaplan Television movie Snakehead Terror Doc Jenkins The Cradle Will Fall Dist. Atty. Alex Myerson Television movie Lyon King Finance Minister Short film Packing Up Jenkins Short film 2005 The Cost of Living Mark Mortinson Short film 2005 The Last Round Mitchell 2005 Max Rules Rick Brinkley 2005 Dark Pines Shannon Fraser Television movie 2006 The Janitors Harvey Short film 2006 Dark Storm General Killion Television movie 2006 Her Fatal Flaw Richard O'Brien Television movie 2006 Sisters Dr. Bryant 2006 The Secret of Hidden Lane Judge Landers Television movie 2007 The Messengers Colby Price 2007 Judicial Indiscretion Senator Garland Wolf Television movie 2007 Numb Peter Milbank 2008 The Femme Fatale Sam Video short film 2008 A Pickle Mack Short film 2008 Passengers Jack 2008 Reverse Chris Short film 2009 Possession Dr. Creane 2009 Something Evil Comes Mr. Dutton Television movie 2009 The Shortcut Benjamin Hartley 2009 The Thaw Ted 2009 Damage Veltz 2009 Web of Desire Dr. Charles Friedman Television movie Blob The Boss Short film Medium Raw : Night of the Wolf Dr. Robert Parker Television movie Flowers for Norma Older Gentleman # 2 Short film Amazon Falls Calvin 2011 Goose on the Loose Alphonse David 2011 Behemoth William Walsh Television movie 2011 Rise of the Damned Doctor 2012 The Tall Man Sheriff Chestnut 2012 The Package Dr. Willhelm 2013 Stonados Ben Television movie 2013 Singularity Principle Lawrence Cason 2014 Focus Mr. Grant 2016 Residue Lamont 2016 Abduct Zane 2016 2BR02B : To Be or Naught to Be Granddad Short film 2017 Death Note Radio Host 2018 Game Over, Man ! Ray Security Television Year Title Role Notes 1984 SCTV Channel Man on the phone Episode : `` Half Wits Save the World Parade '' 1986 The Beachcombers Dave Douglas Episode : `` Trial Balloon '' Danger Bay Norris Episode : `` High Five '' Airwolf `` Company '' official 4 episodes 21 Jump Street Mr. Wiedlin Episode : `` Mean Streets and Pastel Houses '' 1988 Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future Arvin Episode : `` Judgement '' 1988 Danger Bay Jack Kane Episode : `` Racing Against Time '' 1988 21 Jump Street Mr. Wickenton Episode : `` Champagne High '' 1988 Wiseguy Curant Episode : `` The Merchant of Death '' 1989 Wiseguy Inspector # 2 Episode : `` People Do It All the Time '' 1991 21 Jump Street Judge Harrison Episode : `` Crossfire '' 1991 MacGyver Judge Episode : `` Trail of Tears '' 1991 The Commish Don Chesley 2 episodes 1992 Street Justice Badgely Episode : `` Homecoming '' 1992 Nightmare Cafe Doctor Episode : `` Sanctuary for a Child '' North of 60 Inspector Nelson Episode : `` Out of the Blue '' 1993 -- 2002, 2016, 2018 The X-Files The Smoking Man 41 episodes 1995 Sliders Prof. Myman Episode : `` Eggheads '' 1995 The Outer Limits Ed Episode : `` The Conversion '' Poltergeist : The Legacy Dr. Bill Nigel Episode : `` Do Not Go Gently '' The Outer Limits John Wymer Episode : `` Out of Body '' 1999 Mentors Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Episode : `` The Truth Is in Here '' 2000 The Fearing Mind Michell Cofax Episode : `` Gentlemen Caller '' 2001 First Wave Sagon Episode : `` Checkmate '' 2001 The Outer Limits Dr. Biemler Episode : `` Worlds Within '' 2001 Mythquest Head Priest Episode : `` The Oracle '' 2001 Andromeda Professor Logitch Episode : `` Pitiless as the Sun '' 2003 Smallville Mayor William ' Billy ' Tate 2 episodes Kingdom Hospital Dean Swinton Episode : `` The Young and the Headless '' Murdoch Mysteries Alderman Godfrey Shepcote Episode : `` Expect the Dying '' 2005 Tilt Father Mike Episode : `` Nobody Ever Listens '' 2005 Robson Arms Dr. Carlisle Wainwright 10 episodes 2005 -- 2006 Stargate SG - 1 Ori Prior Damaris 2 episodes 2006 Supernatural College Professor Episode : `` Scarecrow '' 2006 Canadian Comedy Shorts Finance Minister Episode : `` Episode # 10.9 '' 2007 Masters of Science Fiction The President Episode : `` The Awakening '' 2008 Fear Itself Father Chris Episode : `` In Sickness and in Health '' 2009 Caprica Minister Chambers Episode : `` Pilot '' Human Target Whitey Doyle Episode : `` Run '' 2012 -- 2014 Continuum Older Alec Sadler 8 episodes 2013 - 14 R.L. Stine 's The Haunting Hour Plumberg Grandfather Episode : `` Bad Egg '' Episode : `` Grandpa 's Glasses '' 2013 - 14 Signed, Sealed, Delivered Episode : `` Truth Be Told '' 2015 Signed, Sealed, Delivered Episode : `` The Impossible Dream '' References Jump up ^ Davis, William B. ( 2011 ). Where There 's Smoke : Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man, a Memoir. ECW Press. p. 4. ISBN 978 - 1 - 77041 - 052 - 7. ^ Jump up to : Brendan Beiser ( June 16, 2008 ). `` William B. Davis - This Conversation ''. This Conversation TV. Retrieved December 2, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` William B. Davis on Fame Dragon Con 2010 ''. September 12, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2011. Jump up ^ Fred Euringer ( 2000 ). A Fly on the Curtain. Oberon Press, 978 - 0778011415. page 103. Jump up ^ Davis, p. 112 Jump up ^ `` History 1960 - 1969 ''. National Theatre School of Canada. 2008. Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Program Advisory Committee ''. Vanarts. 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Festival Lennoxville ''. Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. November 17, 2006. Retrieved December 2, 2011. Jump up ^ Davis, p. 210 Jump up ^ `` Expanded Bio for Lucy Lawless ''. Lotolux. Retrieved December 16, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` William B. Davis Interview ''. LSQTV 2010. July 18, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Past Plays 2010 - 2011 ''. United Players of Vancouver theatre company. Retrieved February 18, 2015. Jump up ^ `` William B. Davis - News ''. Official site of William B. Davis. Retrieved December 16, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Past Plays 2011 - 2012 ''. United Players of Vancouver theatre company. Retrieved February 18, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Past Plays 2013 - 2014 ''. United Players of Vancouver theatre company. Retrieved February 18, 2015. Jump up ^ `` SEASON 2014 - 2015 ''. Jericho Arts Center. Retrieved February 15, 2015. Jump up ^ Nuytens, Gilles ( October 11, 2005 ). `` Interview with William B. Davis ''. The Sci Fi World. Retrieved July 11, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Potpourri ''. Tobacco Control. Retrieved December 3, 2011. Jump up ^ Sentes, Rachel ( December 11, 2014 ). `` Actor 's Divestment from Oil Used to Support Suzuki Foundation ''. Scribd. Retrieved February 18, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` William B. Davis - Personal ''. Official Site of William B. Davis. Retrieved February 14, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` William B. Davis Fan Page ''. Facebook. May 24, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2015. Jump up ^ Allison Cossitt ( March 1998 ). `` Cigarette - Smoking Man ''. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Retrieved December 7, 2011. Jump up ^ John Semley ( October 18, 2011 ). `` Random Roles : William B. Davis ''. A.V. Club. Retrieved October 26, 2011. Jump up ^ X-Files ' William B. Davis AKA Cigarette Smoking Man on Atheism, Skepticism and Life ( Video ). Think Again ! TV. March 2, 2012. Jump up ^ Jacob Fortin ( December 22, 2011 ). `` The Good Atheist Podcast : Episode 154 ''. The Good Atheist. Retrieved December 25, 2011. Jump up ^ `` William B. Davis, Amazon Falls, Toronto Film Festival ''. Real TV Films. October 5, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2011. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to William B. Davis. William B. Davis on IMDb williambdavis.com ISNI : 0000 0001 1959 4994 LCCN : no2006099801 SNAC : w69g9sdr VIAF : 166895796 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_B._Davis&oldid=833148648 '' Categories : 1938 births Living people University of Toronto alumni Bishop 's University faculty Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors Male actors from Toronto Writers from Toronto Canadian atheists Canadian skeptics Canadian television producers Canadian television writers Hidden categories : Use Canadian English from July 2015 All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English Use mdy dates from April 2016 Good articles Articles with hCards Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with SNAC - ID identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia تۆرکجه Български Deutsch Español فارسی Français Gaeilge 한국어 Italiano Қазақша മലയാളം 日本 語 Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Türkçe 14 more Edit links This page was last edited on 29 March 2018, at 22 : 41 ( UTC ). 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Question: who plays the smoking man on the x-files
Answer: William Bruce Davis