When Blast commissioned an interview feature with Don S. Davis, it wasn’t simply because he was an interesting character actor who our readers know, love, and largely grew up with. It was because I was inspired by the amazing range — actor, stunt man, painter, sculptor, set designer, writer.

He was never really a leading man, and he always seemed happy with the lovable roles he played, notably as Major General George Hammond on Stargate SG-1.

What we did not know, and what we certainly did not expect, was that we would produce his last media interview. Mr. Davis died June 29. He was 65 and had been in declining health, causing him to reduce his acting duties since 2003.

Mr. Davis has been a warrior, educator, actor, artist and much more. His inspirations come from his military background and his upbringing in Aurora, Mo. in the Ozark Mountains.

“It’s a small town filled with good people in a beautiful area,” Davis told Blast in March. “It’s a beautiful area with picturesque towns and farms set among rolling hills, which are crisscrossed by many rivers," he writes in his biography on his art website, donsdavisart.com. "The towns and farmsteads contain wonderful old homes, barns and other buildings that provide nearly limitless opportunities for artistic inspiration."

“So many of you have been touched by not only the work and art of Don S. Davis, but by the man himself, who always took the time to be with you at the appearances he loved,” his family wrote in a statement after his passing. “On behalf of his family and wife, Ruby, we thank you for your prayers and condolences.”

His fans always said it best.

"Mr. Davis will always be one of my very favorite people because he cares so much for Stargate and for the fans," said Patricia Stewart, a fan from British Columbia who met Davis at a convention last August. "And when I saw him later that day, he remembered my name! He’s a real gentleman."

We will remember Mr. Davis, the actor, artist and gentleman.

A private memorial service will be held in the coming weeks. His ashes will be cast into the ocean.

Blast Magazine correspondents Manuel Uribe and Sarah Gantz contributed to this report

About The Author

John Guilfoil is the editor-in-chief of Blast: Boston's Online Magazine and the Blast Magazine Network. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweet @johnguilfoil.

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