John Davey

Early life, family and education

Davey was raised in Winnemucca, Nevada, the only city in Humboldt County, Nevada. He graduated from Humboldt County High School in 1957.

Career

Davey was in the US Marine Corps from September 3, 1957 to October 1961. He was also a heavyweight boxer, including work as a sparring partner for Joe Frazier.

Davey performed in numerous television series, including Perry Mason, The Rockford Files, and Max Headroom. Like many Hollywood actors, he would appear in minor roles as different characters in specific episodes of the same series; he appeared in The Rockford Files in six episodes over three years this way, and in four episodes of Barnaby Jones this way. He acted in many TV movies.

Davey's most prominent performances were in his leading role as the superhero character Captain Marvel on the television series Shazam!. The show was created and broadcast during the Saturday morning timeslot, which was typically for children's programming. Davey was the second actor to play the role on the series. (The original actor for the role, Jackson Bostwick, was fired by the show's producers who believed Bostwick did not appear for filming as an attempt to increase his salary, although Bostwick explained he was receiving medical treatment for injuries which occurred while performing stunts during filming of Shazam. Bostwick successfully litigated against Filmation Associates, which was forced to pay him for the remainder of his contract, plus residuals, including the entire second season.) Davey has recalled that the producers were hastily seeking to replace Bostwick. As Captain Marvel, Davey appeared in three episodes of Isis, a companion TV series.

Personal life

Davey has a son, Thomas (born in 1967), and a grandson.

Screen roles

Notes and references