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Marlin "Jim" Davis (August 26, 1909 – April 26, 1981), was an American actor, best known for his role as Jock Ewing in the CBS prime-time soap Dallas, a role which he held up until his death in April 1981.

Born Marlin Davis in Edgerton, Missouri, his first major screen role was opposite Bette Davis in the 1948 melodrama Winter Meeting. His lackluster film career consisted of mostly B movies, many of them Westerns, although he made an impression as a U.S. Senator in the Warren Beatty conspiracy thriller The Parallax View. He is best remembered by most for playing the role of Jock Ewing on TV's Dallas.

Tragedy struck when his only child, daughter Tara Diane (1953-1970), was killed in a car crash at the age of sixteen. After years of roles in a large number of Western films, in 1978 he was given the part of family patriarch Jock Ewing in the Dallas TV series.

During season three, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma but continued to film the show as long as he could. In many scenes as that season progressed, he was seen seated, was obviously wearing a wig and looked and sounded fatigued. A storyline regarding the Takapa development and his separation from Miss Ellie was ended abruptly, and the writers had the couple leave to go on an extended second honeymoon when it became obvious Davis could no longer continue to work. He died of complications from his illness whilst season three was still on air.

Very popular with the audience, the show's writers made the decision not to write his death into the storyline right away. Initially, plans were made to replace him with another actor, but decided that because of audience awareness, his character was kept alive for 13 episodes after his death with the storyline that he was in South America drilling for oil. The episode The Search confirmed the character's death in a helicopter crash was broadcast on January 8, 1982.^[1] A portrait of Davis in his role as Jock Ewing often appeared as a memorial on Dallas after his death.

Davis, who had a close relationship with co-star Victoria Principal, had photographs of her and his daughter (who allegedly bore a strong resemblance to Principal) buried with him on the day of his funeral.

For his contribution to the television industry, Jim Davis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6290 Hollywood Blvd.

Jim Davis is buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

• Jim Davis at the Internet Movie Database