Jim Davis

Only child Tara Diane (15 January 1953 - 9 February 1970) died in a car crash at age 17.

He was very close to "Dallas" co-star Victoria Principal , who bore a strong resemblance to his late daughter, and he had Principals picture along with his daughters in his pocket when he was buried.

In April 1981 the writers of "Dallas" decided not to write his death into the storyline right away. They initially thought about replacing him with another actor, but out of respect decided that only Davis should play Jock Ewing. Jock was kept alive on the show (he was down in South America drilling for oil) until early 1982 when it was learned that he died in a plane crash.

Best remembered by the public for his role as Jock Ewing on the 1980s soap opera "Dallas" .

Survived by his mother, Ethyl O. Davis, who died on January 10, 1984 in Overland Park, Kansas.

His parents owned and operated the Davis Funeral Home in Dearborn, Missouri from 1914 to 1948.

His maternal grandparents were Otho Dock Offutt (1831-1912) and Elizabeth Rogers Hughes Offutt (1864-1937).

He was the son of Lucian Davis (1878-1954) and Ethyl Offutt Davis (1890-1984). They are buried in Camden Point Cemetery, Camden Point, Platte County, Missouri.

For many years, Davis suffered a series of migraine headaches, which led to his terminal brain cancer that eventually claimed his life.

Didnt have to walk too far, in between scenes, while doing "Dallas" , prior to suffering his own health problems, but was determined to keep working, until he was unable to. He had to leave the show, when the cast (and himself) knew that he was dying in 1981 (though he almost appeared in every episode of the 1980-81 season).

He was a heavy smoker for years.

Graduated from Fairmount High School in 1962

First Garfield comic strip appeared on 19 June 1978

On the 22 August 1980 strip, Jon and Garfield are sitting on a hill on Jons parents farm. Jon says "Youre really getting into this farm thing, arent you, Garfield?" Garfield says "Yup. Wanna swap dirt jokes?" The original copy of the strip says "Sheep jokes". It was caught after the proofs came out. The correction was sent, but some papers ran the original. The Garfield book its in (#4) also printed the original.

Garfields weight is 27 pounds. This is revealed in the 21 January 1986 strip, in a series of Ripleys parodies, when it says "A Jon Arbuckle claims to own a cat", which is Garfield, "who can eat 10 times its body weight. To verify this claim, we offered the cat 270 pounds of lasagna". (The strip ended, saying "The cat only ate 219 pounds of lasagna" and Garfield saying "Things went so well in rehearsal!")

Both he and James Dean are born in the same town (Marion, Indiana).

The inspiration for Garfield was his grandfather, Jame A. Garfield Davis; cynical, cantankerous and lovable. As well as the 25 cats Jim Davis grew up with on his Montana farm.

He is in the record books of Ball State University as having accumulated the lowest GPA in the universitys history. The other student who achieved this feat was David Letterman.

Also created the cartoon strip "U.S. Acres," based on his childhood and life growing up on a farm in Indiana.

His favorite licensed product of the "Garfield" strip is the Garfield telephone.

Beat the legendary Charles M. Schulz s "Peanuts" as the most widely read and financially successful strip in history.

Winner of the Outstanding Young Men of America Award, 1972; National Cartoonists Society, Reuben Award for best humor strip, 1982, 1986, and 1990, Segar Award, 1985, Cartoonist of the Year, 1990; Golden Plate, American Academy of Achievement, 1983; Marketing Hall of Fame award, American Marketing Association (southern California chapter), 1983; Sagamore of the Wabash Award, State of Indiana, 1984; National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences ("Emmy") Award for outstanding animated program, 1984, for Garfield on the Town, 1985, for Garfield in the Rough, 1986, for Garfields Halloween Adventure; named Volunteer of the Year by Indiana Council of Fund Raising Executives, 1985; Forest Conservationist of the Year, Indiana Wildlife Federation, 1990; Hoosier Pride Award, 1990; Arbor Day Award, National Arbor Day Foundation, 1990; Distinguished Alumnus Award, American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Honorary doctorates from Ball State University and Purdue University, both 1991.

Was a gymnast until he ruptured a spinal disc.

Favorite movie is Airplane!

Favorite song is "Shout!" by Lulu

He had breathing problems when he was younger.

Despite growing up with cats and drawing the comic strip Garfield, Davis owns no cats today. His wife is desperately allergic.

Has one younger brother Dave "Doc".

Parents are James and Betty Davis.

Has one son James with ex-wife Carolyn.

Has two children Ashley and Christopher with current wife Jill.

His first strip before Garfield was Gnorm Nat.

On advice from "Peanuts" cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, changed Garfields walk from one on four feet to two feet.

Is a general manager at the San Diego Maritime Museum.

[on the PAWS, Inc. studio dedicated to the craft of Garfield] If we take,care of the cat, the cat will take care of us.

[on the huge worldwide "Garfield" phenomenon] I get to draw cartoons.

That for me is the biggest thrill.

I always tell people Garfield is a human in a cat suit.

[on why people can identify with Garfield] Garfield is the one who makes,you feel better about polishing off the leftover pizza at 3 in the,morning.

Jon: Our only thought is to entertain you!Garfield: Feed me.

An imagination is a powerful tool. It can tint memories of the past, shade perceptions of the present, or paint a future so vivid that it can entice. . . or terrify, all depending upon how we conduct ourselves today.

In my head, the sky is blue, the grass is green and cats are orange.

There are so many opportunities in life, that the loss of two or three capabilities is not necessarily debilitating. A handicap can give you the opportunity to focus more on art, writing, or music.

Good morning is a contradiction of terms.

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. .