Since the early 1980s, this statuesque (about 6′) former fashion model has carefully crafted a winning screen persona that has made her one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. While Davis’ somewhat goofy charm has been well deployed in quirky comedies (e.g., “Fletch” 1985; “Beetlejuice” 1988; “Quick Change” 1990), she has also displayed a flair for light drama, notably with an Oscar-winning turn in Lawrence Kasdan’s “The Accidental Tourist” (1988). Strikingly attractive with just a touch of gawkiness, Davis projected an all but irresistible friendliness and vulnerability in her early appearances. More often than not, her best characterizations had her starting out as an untried and fairly ditsy naif who is forced to make decisions that allow her to grow over the course of the narrative. Davis has also avoided much of the stereotypical fare offered contemporary actresses in that she’s never played a character who was dying of a terminal disease, been cast as a hooker (with a heart of gold or otherwise) or portrayed a conventional woman in peril. Her imposing physique has given her rare credibility to play athletes and other unusually physical female roles.
