You probably think Daniel Davis is British. Honestly, almost everyone does. For six years on The Nanny, he played Niles, the dry-witted, insult-hurling butler who spent most of his time making C.C. Babcock’s life a living hell. His accent was so flawless that even his co-star, Charles Shaughnessy—who is actually from London—received fan mail suggesting he take lessons from Davis.
The truth? He’s from Arkansas.
Little Rock, to be specific. He’s a Southern gentleman who just happened to master the "theatrical British" tongue so well that he became the definitive version of an English butler for an entire generation. But looking at Daniel Davis movies and TV shows reveals a career that is way weirder and more impressive than just carrying a silver tray.
The Holodeck’s Greatest Mistake: Professor Moriarty
Before he was Niles, Davis stepped into the boots of one of literature's greatest villains. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, he played Professor James Moriarty. It wasn't just a guest spot; it was a masterclass in sci-fi philosophy.
Basically, Geordi La Forge asked the computer to create an opponent capable of defeating Data. The computer complied, and Davis’s Moriarty became self-aware. He wasn't just a hologram; he was a sentient being demanding his right to exist outside the holodeck.
It’s one of those performances that sticks with you. He brought a level of dignity and heartbreak to a "villain" that few actors could pull off. He even came back for Star Trek: Picard in 2023, proving that even thirty years later, fans still get chills when he steps onto the screen. It's easily one of the highlights of his television career.
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Why The Nanny Still Hits Different
The Nanny (1993–1999) is where most people live when they think of Davis. Niles wasn't just the help; he was the moral (and often immoral) compass of the Sheffield household.
His chemistry with Fran Drescher was great, but the real magic was the constant, vicious, and somehow loving war of words with C.C. Babcock.
Most sitcom sidekicks fade into the background. Davis didn't. He used his theatrical training to make every eye-roll and tray-clatter feel like a punchline. He once said in an interview that he based his comedy on truth—he didn't do "funny things," he did "things funny." That’s a subtle distinction, but it’s why the show still holds up in reruns today.
The Big Screen: Red October and The Prestige
While he's a king of the small screen, his film work is surprisingly prestigious. No pun intended.
In The Hunt for Red October (1990), he played Captain Davenport. He’s the guy on the USS Enterprise who is skeptical—to say the least—of the Soviet crew's motives. If you watch that movie right after an episode of The Nanny, it’ll break your brain. No accent. Just a straight-shooting American naval officer.
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Then you’ve got The Prestige (2006). Christopher Nolan is known for his casting, and he tapped Davis to play the Judge. It’s a small role, but it carries the weight of the film's climax.
He’s also popped up in:
- Havana (1990) as Marion Chigwell.
- K-9 (1989) as Halstead.
- Roses are Blind (2018) as Addison Spelling.
The Broadway Legend Nobody Mentions
If you only know him from Daniel Davis movies and TV shows, you’re missing half the story. The guy is a Broadway titan.
He was nominated for a Tony Award in 2000 for Wrong Mountain. He’s played Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. He’s been Oscar Wilde in The Invention of Love.
Actually, his stage resume is probably more impressive than his screen credits. He spent years in regional theater—the Guthrie, the Old Globe, the American Shakespeare Festival. He’s a classically trained powerhouse who just happened to find fame playing a butler who hides behind doors to eavesdrop.
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Recent Appearances: From New Amsterdam to Elsbeth
He hasn't slowed down. Recently, he’s been a "prestige" guest star for some of the biggest procedural dramas on TV.
You might have caught him in New Amsterdam as Vic Wallace or in The Good Fight as Professor Harrison. Most recently, he’s been popping up in Elsbeth (2024) as Dr. Yablonsky.
What’s cool about these later roles is that he’s leaning into that "venerable elder" vibe. He has this way of commanding a room just by standing still. It's that theater training again. You can't fake that kind of presence.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to see the full range of what he can do, stop watching The Nanny for five minutes and hunt down the Star Trek: TNG episode "Elementary, Dear Data." It shows exactly why he’s more than just a guy with a funny comeback and a duster.
After that, check out his performance in The Hunt for Red October to hear his actual voice. It’s a trip.
Whether he’s playing a holographic genius, a suspicious captain, or the world’s most sarcastic butler, Daniel Davis is one of those actors who makes everything he’s in better. He’s the ultimate "Oh, it's that guy!" actor, and we're lucky to have him.