Cast & creator
William B. Davis
Best known for Supernatural, Smallville, The X-Files
William Bruce Davis (born January 13, 1938) is a Canadian actor, known for his role as The 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 FOX's Human Target as an aging mobster. Davis was born in Toronto, Ontario, to an attorney father and psychologist mother. In 1959, he graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in philosophy. Afterwards, he went on to become a drama professor at Bishop's University. He is also 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. He voiced the antagonist Colonel Whitley of the game The Thing. Davis had a co-starring role in a 2001 episode of The Outer Limits revival series, playing the ruthless director of a secret scientific project, in an episode entitled "Worlds Within." Davis also hosts and narrates the series Critical Eye on the Science Channel. In 2011, he will also co-star in The Tall Man. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Also known as: Bill Davis, William Davis, Вільям Брюс Девіс, William Bruce Davis
96
film credits
42
television credits
124
1983–2024 · acting roles
6.2
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (138)
Showing 138 of 138 credits
Supernatural
College Professor
2005
Smallville
William Tate
2001
The X-Files
Cigarette Smoking Man
1993The X-Files
Cancer Man
1993The X-Files
CGB Spender
1993The X-Files
SS Oberfuehrer / Smoking Man
1993The X-Files
Writer
1993
Stargate SG-1
Damaris
1997
MacGyver
Judge
1985
The Outer Limits
John Wymer
1995The Outer Limits
Ed
1995The Outer Limits
Dr. Frank Biemler
1995
21 Jump Street
Mr. Weidlin
198721 Jump Street
Mr. Wickenton
198721 Jump Street
Judge Harrison
1987
Airwolf
F.I.R.M. Official
1984Airwolf
Newman
1984
Sliders
Prof. Myman
1995
Murder in a Small Town
Captain Darcy Stewart
2024
Andromeda
Professor Logitch
2000
First Wave
Sagon
1998
R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour
Plumberg
2010R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour
Grandfather
2010
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Methuselah
2018
Continuum
Future Alec Sadler
2012
Wiseguy
1987
The Commish
1991
Midnight Matinee
Heath Harris
1989
Upload
David Choak
2020
Human Target
Whitey Doyle
2010
Caprica
Minister Chambers
2010
It
Mr. Gedreau
1990
Fear Itself
Father Chris
2008
Robson Arms
2005
Danger Bay
Norris
1985
Poltergeist: The Legacy
Dr. Bill Nigel
1996
50 States of Fright
Frank
2020
The X-Files
Carl Busch
1998
The Messengers
Colby Price
2007
Look Who's Talking
Drug Doctor
1989
MythQuest
Drossos
2001
Bad Times at the El Royale
Judge Gordon Hoffman
2018
The Dead Zone
Ambulance Driver
1983
Death Note
Radio Host
2017
Tilt
Father Luke
2005
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Cigarette Smoking Man (uncredited)
2001
Masters of Science Fiction
2007
Broken Saints
Benjamin Palmer (voice)
2001
Passengers
Jack
2008
Omen IV: The Awakening
Lawyer (uncredited)
1991
Nightmare Cafe
Doctor
1992
The Tall Man
Sheriff Chestnut
2012
Game Over, Man!
Ray - Security
2018
The Hitman
Dr. Atkins
1991
It's a Wonderful Knife
Roger Evans
2023
The Package
Dr. Willhelm
2013
The Thaw
Ted
2009
Damage
Veltz
2009
Stonados
Ben
2013
Numb
Peter Milbank
2007
Dark Storm
General Killion
2006
Possession
Hypnotist
2009
Head Office
University Dean
1985
The Cradle Will Fall
Alex Myerson
2004
Behemoth
William Walsh
2011
Judicial Indiscretion
Senator Garland Wolf
2007
More Secrets of the X-Files
Self
1996
Inside The X-Files
Self
1998
Unforgettable
Doctor
1996
Heart of a Child
Vern
1994
Don't Talk to Strangers
Huddleston
1994
Killing Moon
Ed
1999
Goose on the Loose
Alphonse David
2006
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told
Harper
2015
Phil
Father Grant
2019
Dangerous Intentions
Group Leader
1995
In Sickness and in Health
Father Chris
2008
Voyage of Terror
Dr. Norman Ellisy
1998
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream
Harper
2015
When the Vows Break
Dr. Alexander
1995
The Doctor's Case
Doctor Watson
2018
2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be
Granddad
2016
Abduct
Zane
2016
100 Days in the Jungle
Ambassador Shear
2002
Bribe, Inc.
Figaro (voice)
2024Dark Pines
Shannon Fraser
2005
Sisters
Dr. Lucas Bryant
2006
Perpetrators of the Crime
Henderson
2000
Word of Honor
Lewis Kaplan - Tyson's Boss
2003
Residue
Lamont
2017
Mindstorm
Parish
2001
Rise of the Damned
Doctor
2011
Out of Line
Russell
2001
The Murdoch Mysteries: Except the Dying
Alderman Godfrey Shepcote
2004
Secrets of the X-Files
Self
1995
Medium Raw
Dr. Robert Parker
2010
Saint Sinner
Father Michael
2002
Her Fatal Flaw
Richard O'Brien
2006
Flowers for Norma
Older Gentleman #2
2010
The Real 'X-Files'?
Himself
2015
Snakehead Terror
Doc Jenkins
2004
Singularity Principle
Lawrence Cason
2013
The Mountain Runners
Henry Engberg
2012
Becoming Dick
Dr. Hardwin
2000
Not Our Son
Police Chief
1995
Circumstances Unknown
Gene Reuschel
1995
The Secret of Hidden Lake
2006
Something Evil Comes
Mr. Dutton
2009
Web of Desire
Dr. Charles Friedman
2010
The Proposal
Agent Frank Gruning
2001
Sworn to Silence
Peter Massio
1987
Exhuming 'The Messengers'
Self
2007
Aftermath
Deputy Director Edwards
2002
Amazon Falls
Calvin
2010
Murder Most Likely
Detective Inspector
1999
Anything to Survive
Dr Reynolds
1990
Max Rules: Adventures of a Super Spy
Rick Brinkley
2005The Cuckoo Bird
Ted
1985
Anthrax
Tye Crow
2001
Better Off
Self
2024
Focus
Mr. Grant
2014
Science Of Death
Narrator
2001
Deadly Deception
Lawyer
1987
Packing Up
Jenkins
2004Packing Up
Writer
2004Packing Up
Executive Producer
2004Packing Up
Director
2004Packing Up
Editor
2004Reverse
Chris
2008Reverse
Editor
2008Reverse
Writer
2008Reverse
Director
2008Exchange
Director
2003Exchange
Writer
2003Exchange
Editor
2003Exchange
Producer
2003Exchange
Executive Producer
200349th & Main
Creator