About the Book:
One of the most iconic villains in the history of television, the enigmatic Cigarette Smoking Man fascinated legions of fans of the 1990s' hit TV series, The X-Files. Best known as "Cancerman," he was voted Television's Favourite Villain by the readers of TV Guide. The man behind the villain, William B. Davis, is a Canadian actor and director, whose revelations in this memoir will entertain and intrigue the millions of X-Files aficionados worldwide.
But there is more to Davis' story than just The X-Files.
William B. Davis' extensive acting experience began when he was a child in Ontario in the 1950s, and grew to encompass radio, theatre, film, and television. At the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy, he turned his hand to directing, a move that took him to theatre school in Britain and a directing career. There, he reconnected with his undergraduate colleague, Donald Sutherland, and worked at the National Theatre, with such notables as Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Maggie Smith, and Albert Finney.
Those who love the theatre will delight in his recollections of the Straw Hat Players in Ontario or the trials and tribulations of an artistic director of repertory theatre in Dundee, Scotland, or his valiant attempt to create a theatre in Quebec devoted to the Canadian repertoire. Those who love history will relive with Davis those "golden years" of Canadian radio drama and theatre, not to mention enjoying an inside look at the National Theatre School of Canada where he directed the English Acting Program in the '60s. Those who love a bit of scandalous gossip will not be disappointed.
Written in an easy conversational style, this memoir truly is "The Musings of the Cigarette Smoking Man" – as William B. Davis reflects on his loves, his losses, his hopes, his fears, and his accomplishments in this unique and engaging autobiography.
What people say:
"When the Cigarette Smoking man actually first spoke on The X-Files, we found out what a truly Talented actor Bill Davis is. Now, in this absorbing , fascinating book about his rich and exciting life, we discover he's equally talented as a director, teacher, love, skier, and much more." — R.W. Goodwin, executive producer, writer,director The X-Files
"In this warm and entertaining memoir, he discusses his life and career, including anecdotes, recollections and gossip from time on-stage...." — The Globe and Mail
"For anyone who is a student or lover of the theatre, or anyone involved in the profession in whatever capacity, the book is a treasure trove of history – full of detail and insight. A fascinating historical perspective of a particular period in Canadian and British theatre. Thoroughly enjoyable. One gets a very clear sense of the enormous devotion and commitment it took in choosing such an elusive lifestyle." — Tom Braidwood, actor, director, producer, The X-Files, Millennium, Da Vinci's Inquest
"Bill Davis's memoir is a lively personal story and a document in the history of theatre. He tells a revealing tale of how determination and chance led him to be a stage director in England, a producer director and teacher in Canada and, to his own astonishment, a film actor who achieved celebrity for his television performances in The X-Files. His account of his life is thoughtful, amusing, even mildly scandalous. This is not how it should have been, but how it was." — David Helwig, essayist, poet, novelist, The Names of Things
"Bill Davis' remarkable career in the performing arts makes for a vivid memoir and a valuable cultural history. An entertaining and addictive read." — Jerry Wasserman, actor, critic, and head of the Department of Theatre and Film, University of British Columbia
"an entertaining and addictive read, filled with humorous anecdotes and insightful, insider stories from the set of The X-Files." — Waterloo Chronicle
About the Author:
William B. Davis is best known as "Cancerman" from The X-Files. On the small screen his recent credits include guest appearances on hit shows including Human Target, Caprica, and Supernatural. He was the artistic director of the English Acting Program at Canada's National Theatre School and later founded Vancouver's The William Davis Centre for Actors' Study. Davis has also appeared in a succession of films opposite stars including Penelope Ann Miller, Martin Sheen, Anne Archer, Margot Kidder, Matthew Perry, and Brian Dennehy. He lives in Vancouver, BC.