Nick Raynes, a movie producer and actor who was the grandson of former 20th Century Fox owner Marvin Davis, died on July 27, 2018, at the age of 33. His death shocked and saddened many of his friends and family, who remembered him as a kind, loyal and talented person. But what was the cause of his death? Here is what we know so far based on the available information.
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Found Unresponsive in His Apartment
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Raynes was found unresponsive in a residence on East 65th Street in Manhattan, New York City, by a friend who called 911. A NYPD officer told the outlet that no foul play was suspected, and that a medical examiner did not reveal a cause of death. Raynes was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suspected Drug Overdose
Although the official cause of death was not disclosed, some sources suggested that Raynes died of a drug overdose. Page Six reported that Raynes’ body was found on his bathroom floor and that the cause of death will be determined pending toxicology reports. The outlet also cited a source who said that Raynes had struggled with substance abuse for years and that he had been in and out of rehab.
Producing a Biopic of Miles Davis
At the time of his death, Raynes was said to be producing a biopic of jazz legend Miles Davis, based on the 2006 biography “Dark Magus: The Jekyll and Hyde Life of Miles Davis” by Davis’ eldest son, Gregory Davis. Raynes had a passion for music and had been playing drums for over 13 years. He had also worked on short films and documentaries, such as “I Think I Thought” with actor Matthew Modine, who tweeted a tribute to Raynes after his death: “Devastated. #NickRaynes — this man loved artists more than anyone I’ve ever met. A champion of love, peace and forgiveness.”
Grandson of a Hollywood Mogul
Raynes was one of the 16 grandchildren of Marvin Davis, who was a Denver oilman who bought Fox in 1981 and sold it four years later to Rupert Murdoch for a profit reported to be more than $300 million. Davis also owned the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Pebble Beach golf course. He and his wife Barbara were married from July 1951 until his death in September 2004, when Forbes estimated his fortune at $5.8 billion. Raynes was also a nephew of producer John Davis, who was behind such films as “The Firm”, “Waterworld”, “Predator” and “I, Robot”.
Survived by His Mother, Brother and Sister
Raynes was one of the three children of Patricia Raynes and New York real-estate developer Martin Raynes. His mother, who was a prominent socialite and philanthropist, died in April 2023 at the age of 63 in her Florida home. She had struggled with the death of her son, Nick, who passed away from a drug overdose in 2018, according to Page Six. Raynes is also survived by his brother Matt and sister Ashley, who gathered with their relatives and friends for a private memorial service to celebrate Nick’s life on July 31, 2018.
