Phyllis Davis was a beautiful and talented actress who appeared in many films and TV shows in the late 60s and early 80s. She was best known for her role as Beatrice Travis, the secretary and girl Friday of private detective Dan Tanna, played by Robert Urich, in the ABC series Vega$. She also starred in cult classics like Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and The Choirboys But what was the cause of her death and how did she cope with her illness? Here is a brief overview of her life and career, as well as the details of her tragic passing.
Early Life and Career
Phyllis Davis was born on July 17, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas. She grew up in Nederland, Texas, where her family lived on the second floor of their mortuary business. She attended Lamar College briefly, then moved to Los Angeles in 1965 to pursue a career in acting. She took classes at the Pasadena Playhouse and landed small parts in Elvis Presley movies.
She got her first break when she auditioned for Love, American Style, a comedy anthology series that ran for five seasons from 1969 to 1974. She wore a bathing suit and was hired on the spot. She appeared in various segments of the show, often playing sexy and seductive characters. She also guest-starred in other popular shows like Knight Rider, Magnum, P.I., The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and The Wild Wild West.
She also appeared in several feature films, mostly in the genres of comedy, drama, and exploitation. Some of her notable movies include The Big Bounce, Sweet Sugar, Terminal Island, The Day of the Dolphin, and Guns. She also played Scarlett O’Hara in Train Ride to Hollywood, a musical spoof of Gone with the Wind starring the R&B group Bloodstone.
Vega$ and Beyond
Phyllis Davis’s most famous role was as Beatrice Travis in Vega$, a crime drama series created by Michael Mann and produced by Aaron Spelling. The show followed the adventures of Dan Tanna, a private investigator who worked in Las Vegas. Davis played his loyal and smart secretary, who also helped him with his cases. She appeared in all 69 episodes of the show, from 1978 to 1981.
Davis had a chance encounter with Candy Spelling, Aaron Spelling’s wife, who was casting for the show. She got the role after meeting with Robert Urich and Michael Mann. She developed a close friendship with Urich, who later died of cancer in 2002. She said that working on Vega$ was “the best time of my life”.
After Vega$, Davis continued to work with Aaron Spelling on several TV movies, such as The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch and Hotel. She also appeared in some independent films, such as The Naked Cage and Angel III: The Final Chapter. Her last acting credit was in Silk Stalkings, a crime drama series that aired from 1991 to 1999.
Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Phyllis Davis kept her battle with cancer very private. She did not reveal much about her diagnosis or treatment to the public or even to her friends. She died on September 27, 2013, at the age of 73, in Henderson, Nevada, where she had made her home. Her death was confirmed by her brother Gene Davis, who said that she had been suffering from cancer for several years.
Davis never married or had children. She had a long-term relationship with Dean Martin in the 1970s and with Laffit Pincay Jr. in the 1980s. She was also involved in charitable causes, such as animal rights and environmental issues. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling around the world.
Phyllis Davis was a versatile and vivacious actress who left a lasting impression on her fans and colleagues. She will always be remembered for her beauty, charm, and talent.
According to Wikipedia
