Godspeed General Hammond

DrLee · Jun 30, 2008

Don S Davis, Known to fans of Stargate SG-1 as General George Hammond, passed away Sunday, June 29 form a massive heart attack.

With great sadness we must report that veteran actor Don S. Davis passed away on June 29, 2008. He was 65 years old.

Don co-starred on Stargate SG-1 for the show's first seven years, helping to launch the enduring science fiction franchise. Davis played Major General George Hammond, base commander and a father figure to many of the show's characters.

He is also well-known for his portrayal of Major Garland Briggs in Twin Peaks.

Off-screen, Don was beloved by the show's cast and crew. He departed the show in 2003 due to a medical condition that restricted his workload, but returned for several guest appearances on SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis in the following years. Don worked hard to improve his health, and continued to work both on screen and off until his death.

The following message was provided by Don's representative and his wife, Ruby Fleming-Davis:

Dear Fans and Friends of Don S. Davis,

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, that it is with a tremendous sense of loss I must share with you that Don passed away from a massive heart attack on Sunday morning, June 29th.

On behalf of his family and wife, Ruby, we thank you for your prayers and condolences. A family memorial where Don's ashes will be scattered in the ocean will take place in a few weeks, and should you wish to, please make a donation to the American Heart Association in Don's memory.

Born August 4, 1942 in Aurora, Missouri and raised there, Don received a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in theater and art from Southwest Missouri State College in 1965. He then served three years on active duty in the United States Army, entering as a Second Lieutenant. He rose to the rank of Captain and was stationed in Korea before completing his required tour of active duty.

Upon leaving the army, Don began working toward a Master's degree in theater at Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, Illinois, and received his Master's degree in 1970. He taught at the University of British Columbia for a decade before returning to SIU to complete his coursework for a PhD in theater, receiving the degree in 1982.

Photo from Southern Alumni
Don's list of film and television credits is lengthy, dating back to 1982. He met Stargate co-star Richard Dean Anderson on the set of MacGyver, where Don worked as a stunt double for actor Dana Elcar.

When production on Stargate SG-1 began in 1997, the producers tapped Davis to play the base commander -- originally written to be a by-the-book antagonist, but quickly softened by Don's own personality and experience.

In 2003 Don married his soul mate and the great love of his life, Ruby Fleming-Davis. The two have resided in British Columbia with their three dogs, Teto, Ming and Charley.

Don's off-screen career as an artist blossomed especially in the years since he left Stargate. A look at his Web site, DonSDavisArt.com, reveals his tremendous gifts in painting, drawing, and woodcarving.

Don's final Stargate appearance is in Stargate: Continuum, the SG-1 DVD movie that will be released July 29 in North America and August 18 in the United Kingdom. He will also appear in the forthcoming films "Vipers," "Woodshop," and "Far Cry," according to the Internet Movie Database.

Many fans of Don's work have had the opportunity to meet him in person, as he was also a regular face at fan conventions around the world. Fans learned that behind General Hammond was a Southern gentleman with a big heart, a no-nonsense attitude, and all the love and respect one could imagine.

Services for Don S. Davis will be small and private, in both Vancouver and Los Angeles. His Web sites will be updated this week, and his obituary will be sent to the Vancouver Sun newspaper. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association in Don's memory.
Click to expand...

flamingunicron · Jun 30, 2008

Wow, I love Stargate and i was hopping he'd return for all the future movies. They have to add a "in memory" thing on Continuum

Sparky Prime · Jun 30, 2008

Wow... I wondered why he left SG-1. Didn't realize it was a health related thing. Sad news. He will be missed.

Boardwise · Jul 1, 2008

Aww man, that sucks.
Will be good to see him in action again in Continuum as Hammond was always a integral part of the show, but will be sad knowing he's gone

Rest in peace, Hammond of Texas.

Vector Sigma · Jul 1, 2008

Goodbye General Hammond.

He was a great actor, one of my favourites, a huge smile would always be on my face whenever I saw him in anything...

Draven · Jul 1, 2008

Oh bugger. I've been a fan of Don's work since Twin Peaks.
Rest in peace, Don, and thank you so much.

Brandon · Jul 1, 2008

That sucks. He was awesome on Stargate SG1.

Deefuzz · Jul 1, 2008

Bummer.

I always liked Hammond of Texas.

Drake · Jul 1, 2008

Sad news. He was a great actor. The Stargate Universe won't be the same without him.

kronos · Jul 1, 2008

so sad. he was awsome in SG

Gordon_4 · Jul 1, 2008

R.I.P. Don S Davis.......whenever a great sci fi actor dies like this I have an urge to play 'Sleeping in Light' from Babylon 5.

Belgrath · Jul 1, 2008

He did a bang up job as Hammond in SG-1 and made a few appearances in SG: Atlantis.

RIP Don S. Davis, you'll sorely be missed.

Aaron · Jul 1, 2008

*bumps up SG-1 in Netflix Queue*

Primal · Jul 2, 2008

awww he'll be missed

Witwicky Camaro · Jul 2, 2008

Man, now he can't call the President anymore.
R.I.P. General Hammond.

David · Jul 2, 2008

wow....r.i.p.

Hiro Prime · Jul 2, 2008

Damn, it seems like we're losing good people left and right this year. Don was one of the guys that hooked me on Stargate SG1. He was a wonderful actor. He will be missed.

R.I.P Mr. Davidson. May the Stargate take you to Heaven.

Log in or Sign up

Godspeed General Hammond

DrLee Well-Known Member

flamingunicron Well-Known Member

Sparky Prime Well-Known Member

Boardwise There are no strings on me Veteran

Vector Sigma <b><i><font color=FFFF00>Crazy Colon Burner!!!!</b Veteran

Draven Banned

Brandon This is important work.

Deefuzz Beard On! Beardmaster! Veteran

Drake Smooth Is Smooth Baby

kronos PSN = METROPLEX_84

Gordon_4 The Big Engine

Belgrath Boom! Nutshot!

Aaron Master of Crystalocution Moderator Content Contributor

Primal Veteran

Witwicky Camaro Sabbatical Is Required

David Here for a good time, not a long time TFW2005 Supporter

Hiro Prime Cybertronian Guru Veteran

Log in or Sign up

Godspeed General Hammond

DrLee Well-Known Member

flamingunicron Well-Known Member

Sparky Prime Well-Known Member

Boardwise There are no strings on me Veteran

Vector Sigma <b><i><font color=FFFF00>Crazy Colon Burner!!!!</b Veteran

Draven Banned

Brandon This is important work.

Deefuzz Beard On! Beardmaster! Veteran

Drake Smooth Is Smooth Baby

kronos PSN = METROPLEX_84

Gordon_4 The Big Engine

Belgrath Boom! Nutshot!

Aaron Master of Crystalocution Moderator Content Contributor

Primal Veteran

Witwicky Camaro Sabbatical Is Required

David Here for a good time, not a long time TFW2005 Supporter

Hiro Prime Cybertronian Guru Veteran

Useful Searches