Michael Davis

Michael Baugh Davis



Michael Baugh Davis, age 87, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas July 30, 1936 and departed this life on November 13, 2023 at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a year and a half of cancer treatments. At three years old his mother, Maralyn Ward Haynie, (nee' Davis) tragically died in a motor vehicle accident. He was then adopted by his maternal grandparents, Roy Carlton Davis and Enola Adeline Davis (Neel) and raised as their son.

Michael was a natural performer who was known as a "triple threat" as he was an actor, dancer, and singer. He and his friend Gwen Neisser had a television show in Little Rock during their high school years that featured all three talents. He graduated from Little Rock High School.

After graduating high school he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He then set his sights to Broadway. He left Little Rock in 1955 and arrived in New York City. Michael had a thirty-year career on Broadway performing in thirteen original Broadway musicals as well as regional and national touring companies. One production was with the National Touring Company of "1776". He also performed as a ringmaster for Circus America for one season. He was nominated for one Tony Award and received the "Gypsy Robe" for his role in "Rags" on August 21, 1986.

During his time in New York, he worked with established actors, artists and well-known icons. He had wonderful stories about all of them. One story he enjoyed telling was when he replaced Rene Auberjonois in the Broadway musical "Coco" in 1970. Before his debut he met the show's star, Kathrine Hepburn, who said, "My dear boy, I've heard that you can sing but can you act?" Michael's response was, "I guess we'll find out."

In 1989 he returned to Little Rock and in 1990 he met, Timothy Allen Huffmaster, a young man who would become his friend, partner, and husband for the next thirty-two years. The two officially became a couple on April 5, 1991, had a civil union ceremony in June of 2013 and were married on August 26, 2013, in Santa Fe, NM. In March, of 2008 The couple moved to Albuquerque, NM to be near Michael's family. Shortly thereafter Michael began television and film work at Albuquerque Studios under the representation of "O Agency".

Michael was thrilled to continue working his craft with family and friends close by. He contributed to the entertainment industry he loved until his health decline no longer permitted.

Michael is survived by his husband Timothy Allen Huffmaster, sister Jeannie Mountjoy Morse, nieces Amanda Crouch, Debbie DeLuca, Candice Gould, Marsha Rhodes, Margie Blackwell, and Windy Reinke and their husbands and children. He is also survived by eleven brothers and sisters-in-law, twenty-one nephews and nieces-in-law, and twenty-four great nephews and nieces-in-law.

Services will be held Sunday May 12, 2024 at Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas at 8:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please consider planting a tree in his memory.