---
name: "William B. Davis"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/william-b-davis"
fi1m_id: "william-b-davis"
imdb_id: "nm0205657"
tmdb_id: 12643
wikidata_id: "Q444312"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 January 1938"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-05T01:26:21.762141+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# William B. Davis

## Identity

William B. Davis

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/william-b-davis
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** william-b-davis
- **IMDb ID:** nm0205657
- **TMDB ID:** 12643
- **Wikidata ID:** Q444312
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Davis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q444312, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205657/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12643

Actor. Born 13 January 1938 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 January 1938, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- **Active:** 1983–1998
- **Also known as:** Bill Davis, William Davis, Вільям Брюс Девіс, William Bruce Davis
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Carter](https://film.one/person/chris-carter.md), [Daniel Sackheim](https://film.one/person/daniel-sackheim.md), [David Duchovny](https://film.one/person/david-duchovny.md), [Gillian Anderson](https://film.one/person/gillian-anderson.md), [Rob Bowman](https://film.one/person/rob-bowman.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 76 (2), 1990s 74 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 67 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Mystery 2, Science Fiction 2, Thriller 2, Comedy 1, Crime 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $507m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Davis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q444312, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205657/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12643

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The X-Files*](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md) (84)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The X-Files*](https://film.one/film/the-x-files-1998.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

William B. Davis is a Canadian actor. He is best known for playing CGB Spender, also known as the Cigarette Smoking Man, on the series *The X-Files* (1993), in which he also has a writing credit. He has appeared in other series including *Stargate SG-1* (1997) as Damaris and *Smallville* (2001) as William Tate.

Davis was born in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in philosophy in 1959. He trained as an actor in Britain and worked with the National Theatre. He founded the William Davis Centre for Actors Study in Vancouver, British Columbia.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, x-files.fandom.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *The X-Files* (1998), Fi1m 64, as Carl Busch — [page](https://film.one/film/the-x-files-1998.md)
- *The X-Files* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Cigarette Smoking Man, CGB Spender — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Look Who's Talking* (1989), Fi1m 71, as Drug Doctor — [page](https://film.one/film/look-whos-talking.md)
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), Fi1m 82, as Ambulance Driver — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)

## Complete filmography (111)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Bribe, Inc.* (2024), as Figaro (voice)
- *Murder in a Small Town* (2024), series, as Captain Darcy Stewart
- *It's a Wonderful Knife* (2023), as Roger Evans
- *Upload* (2020), series, as David Choak
- *50 States of Fright* (2020), series, as Frank
- *Phil* (2019), as Father Grant
- *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina* (2018), series, as Methuselah
- *Bad Times at the El Royale* (2018), as Judge Gordon Hoffman
- *The Doctor's Case* (2018), as Doctor Watson
- *Game Over, Man!* (2018), as Ray - Security
- *Death Note* (2017), as Radio Host
- *Residue* (2017), as Lamont
- *Abduct* (2016), as Zane
- *2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be* (2016), as Granddad
- *Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream* (2015), as Harper
- *Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told* (2015), as Harper
- *Focus* (2014), as Mr. Grant
- *Stonados* (2013), as Ben
- *Singularity Principle* (2013), as Lawrence Cason
- *The Package* (2012), as Dr. Willhelm
- *The Mountain Runners* (2012), as Henry Engberg
- *Continuum* (2012), series, as Future Alec Sadler
- *The Tall Man* (2012), as Sheriff Chestnut
- *Rise of the Damned* (2011), as Doctor
- *Behemoth* (2011), as William Walsh
- *Flowers for Norma* (2010), as Older Gentleman #2
- *R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour* (2010), series, as Plumberg, Grandfather
- *Amazon Falls* (2010), as Calvin
- *Medium Raw* (2010), as Dr. Robert Parker
- *Web of Desire* (2010), as Dr. Charles Friedman
- *Caprica* (2010), series, as Minister Chambers
- *Human Target* (2010), series, as Whitey Doyle
- *Damage* (2009), as Veltz
- *Something Evil Comes* (2009), as Mr. Dutton
- *The Thaw* (2009), as Ted
- *Possession* (2009), as Hypnotist
- *Reverse* (2008), as Chris · Director, Editor, Writer
- *Passengers* (2008), as Jack
- *In Sickness and in Health* (2008), as Father Chris
- *Fear Itself* (2008), series, as Father Chris
- *Masters of Science Fiction* (2007), series, Actor
- *Numb* (2007), as Peter Milbank
- *Judicial Indiscretion* (2007), as Senator Garland Wolf
- *The Messengers* (2007), as Colby Price
- *Her Fatal Flaw* (2006), as Richard O'Brien
- *Sisters* (2006), as Dr. Lucas Bryant
- *The Secret of Hidden Lake* (2006), Actor
- *Dark Storm* (2006), as General Killion
- *Goose on the Loose* (2006), as Alphonse David
- *Dark Pines* (2005), as Shannon Fraser
- *Supernatural* (2005), series, as College Professor — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/supernatural.md)
- *Robson Arms* (2005), series, Actor
- *Max Rules: Adventures of a Super Spy* (2005), as Rick Brinkley
- *Tilt* (2005), series, as Father Luke
- *Packing Up* (2004), as Jenkins · Director, Editor, Writer, Executive Producer
- *The Murdoch Mysteries: Except the Dying* (2004), as Alderman Godfrey Shepcote
- *Snakehead Terror* (2004), as Doc Jenkins
- *The Cradle Will Fall* (2004), as Alex Myerson
- *Word of Honor* (2003), as Lewis Kaplan - Tyson's Boss
- *Exchange* (2003), Writer, Producer, Director, Editor, Executive Producer
- *100 Days in the Jungle* (2002), as Ambassador Shear
- *Saint Sinner* (2002), as Father Michael
- *Aftermath* (2002), as Deputy Director Edwards
- *Out of Line* (2001), as Russell
- *Smallville* (2001), series, as William Tate — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/smallville.md)
- *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back* (2001), as Cigarette Smoking Man (uncredited) — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-strike-back.md)
- *MythQuest* (2001), series, as Drossos
- *Mindstorm* (2001), as Parish
- *Broken Saints* (2001), series, as Benjamin Palmer (voice)
- *The Proposal* (2001), as Agent Frank Gruning
- *Anthrax* (2001), as Tye Crow
- *Science Of Death* (2001), as Narrator
- *Andromeda* (2000), series, as Professor Logitch
- *Becoming Dick* (2000), as Dr. Hardwin
- *Perpetrators of the Crime* (2000), as Henderson
- *Murder Most Likely* (1999), as Detective Inspector
- *Killing Moon* (1999), as Ed
- *First Wave* (1998), series, as Sagon
- *The X-Files* (1998), as Carl Busch — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-x-files-1998.md)
- *Voyage of Terror* (1998), as Dr. Norman Ellisy
- *Stargate SG-1* (1997), series, as Damaris
- *Poltergeist: The Legacy* (1996), series, as Dr. Bill Nigel
- *Unforgettable* (1996), as Doctor
- *When the Vows Break* (1995), as Dr. Alexander
- *Circumstances Unknown* (1995), as Gene Reuschel
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as John Wymer, Ed, Dr. Frank Biemler
- *Sliders* (1995), series, as Prof. Myman
- *Not Our Son* (1995), as Police Chief
- *Dangerous Intentions* (1995), as Group Leader
- *Don't Talk to Strangers* (1994), as Huddleston
- *Heart of a Child* (1994), as Vern
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Cigarette Smoking Man, Cancer Man, CGB Spender, SS Oberfuehrer / Smoking Man · Writer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Nightmare Cafe* (1992), series, as Doctor
- *The Commish* (1991), series, Actor
- *Omen IV: The Awakening* (1991), as Lawyer (uncredited)
- *The Hitman* (1991), as Dr. Atkins
- *It* (1990), series, as Mr. Gedreau
- *Anything to Survive* (1990), as Dr Reynolds
- *Look Who's Talking* (1989), as Drug Doctor — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/look-whos-talking.md)
- *Midnight Matinee* (1988), as Heath Harris
- *Wiseguy* (1987), series, Actor
- *21 Jump Street* (1987), series, as Mr. Weidlin, Mr. Wickenton, Judge Harrison
- *Sworn to Silence* (1987), as Peter Massio
- *Deadly Deception* (1987), as Lawyer
- *Danger Bay* (1985), series, as Norris
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Judge
- *Head Office* (1985), as University Dean
- *The Cuckoo Bird* (1985), as Ted
- *Airwolf* (1984), series, as F.I.R.M. Official, Newman
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), as Ambulance Driver — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)
- *49th & Main*, series, Creator

## Gallery

- ![William B. Davis](https://film.one/media/person/62695/gallery-a167e43a7307.jpg) William B. Davis — Yves Tennevin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Toulouse_Game_Show_2011_-_William_B_Davis_-_P1280944-CROP.jpg/1280px-Toulouse_Game_Show_2011_-_William_B_Davis_-_P1280944-CROP.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![William B. Davis participating in "Skepticism and the Media" panel at CSICON 2011 in New Orleans, LA, USA.](https://film.one/media/person/62695/gallery-516b20eddcf9.jpg) William B. Davis participating in "Skepticism and the Media" panel at CSICON 2011 in New Orleans, LA, USA. — BDEngler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/CSICON_2011-William_B_Davis.JPG/1280px-CSICON_2011-William_B_Davis.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![William B. Davis participating in "Skepticism and the Media" panel at CSICON 2011 in New Orleans, LA, USA.](https://film.one/media/person/62695/gallery-6bf8e7aeee05.jpg) William B. Davis participating in "Skepticism and the Media" panel at CSICON 2011 in New Orleans, LA, USA. — BDEngler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/CSICON_2011-William_B_Davis_%28cropped%29.JPG/1280px-CSICON_2011-William_B_Davis_%28cropped%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/62695/gallery-65f74934d238.jpg) Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2012. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Fan_Expo_2012_-_William_B_Davis_01_%287891784118%29.jpg/1280px-Fan_Expo_2012_-_William_B_Davis_01_%287891784118%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/62695/gallery-29af31136fdb.jpg) Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2012. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Fan_Expo_2012_-_William_B_Davis_02_%287891785314%29.jpg/1280px-Fan_Expo_2012_-_William_B_Davis_02_%287891785314%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/62695/gallery-3054f6abb602.jpg) Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2012. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Fan_Expo_2012_-_William_B_Davis_03_%287891784802%29.jpg/1280px-Fan_Expo_2012_-_William_B_Davis_03_%287891784802%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/william-b-davis