Date
of publishing: 10th November 2005
Don S. Davis is a character actor, painter, designer, woodcarver,
former theatre professor, and was a Captain in the United
States Army during the sixties. Don was born and raised in
a small town in the Missouri Ozarks. He received a Bachelor
of Science Degree with double major in theatre and art from
Southwest Missouri State College in 1965. He then served three
years on active duty in the United States Army. Don's television
credits also include his series regular role as General George
Hammond in Stargate SG-1, and recurring roles in The X-Files
where he played father to Gillian Anderson's Agent Scully.
Here is the second interview he did for The Scifi World.
Gilles Nuytens: Could
you talk about your passion for painting and sculpting, what
does interest you in art?
Don S. Davis: I'm basically a visually oriented
person. I'm eclectic in my visual tastes and any object, natural
or manmade, that strikes my fancy at any moment interests
me. In my own work I paint, draw, carve, model or build whatever
form or type of image in whatever style or medium that happens
to reflect my mood at any given time.
Gilles Nuytens: Why
did you choose acting instead of sculpting or painting?
Don S. Davis: I have a PhD in theater and
spent many years teaching theater in various North American
colleges and universities. Becoming a professional actor was
a natural progression.  Gilles
Nuytens: What are the
differences of the lifestyle being in Vancouver and in L.A.?
Don S. Davis: Vancouver is more laid back
than LA and is a much pleasanter place to live.
Gilles Nuytens: What
do you think of the new direction of Stargate this year?
Don S. Davis: Whatever direction the very
talented writers of Stargate SG-1 choose to explore is sure
to provide stimulating storylines. Life is in a constant
state of flux. Art based on the human condition should reflect
that state of continual growth and change.
Gilles Nuytens: What
was the most challenging thing you had to do for Stargate?
Don S. Davis: I couldn't honestly pick
one thing that stands out from the whole.
Gilles Nuytens: What
can you say about the evolution of Hammond from the beginning
until now, the psychological aspects or everything else?
Don S. Davis: Hammond, like all of the
recurring characters in the series, became more understanding,
flexible and committed to the individual members of SG-1
and Stargate Command as the years went on. This is simply
a reflection of life itself. The longer we as individuals
remain increasingly involved with a given group, the more
intensely invested and protective we become.
Gilles Nuytens: Did
you watched sometimes Stargate? And what did you think of
the result of your work on screen?
Don S. Davis: I seldom watch myself on
the screen. Unless you are a raving narcissist you become
too critical of the flaws in your performance to judge it
objectively. And that subjectivity combined with the over-riding
knowledge of what the outcome of the tale will be becomes
off-putting. I'm confident that I'm a competent actor because
I've been able to make a great living at it for several
decades - that's very hard to do - that knowledge is enough
for me.
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