JAMES CARLOS DAVIS

About

Georgetown University

JAMES DAVIS Obituary

DAVIS--James Carlos. Carlos Davis - writer, producer, husband, father, and fast friend to all he met - passed away on September 24, 2020 at the age of 71. Born in San Francisco to Aida Minamora and James Davis, he attended The Allen-Stevenson School, The Riverdale School, The London School of Economics, and Georgetown University before venturing into a career in Hollywood. Carlos was best known for co-writing the 1991 cult classic Drop Dead Fred, and also penned Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (nominated for three Emmy's), 2018's Hurricane Heist, three best-selling novels, the Broadway musical Preppies, and countless unproduced projects that he loved to pitch to anyone who would listen. Carlos's life centered on his beloved son James, his many dear friends the world over, his other dear friends Pinot Grigio and Rose, and long dinners at his favorite restaurants - especially his cherished Villa Mosconi. A hug served as his hello, and the goodbye was always reluctant. Now, so is ours: with loved ones by his side, Carlos died unexpectedly of cancer in San Francisco - bringing his bright-burning, generous, joyful life to an end in the place where it all began. The family will announce plans for a celebration shortly, and in the meantime encourages mourners to - in the words of Carlos's longstanding voicemail greeting - offer "a few kind words" in his name.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Sep. 29, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JAMES DAVIS

6 Entries

Liz Seppala Antelo

February 14, 2021

I am still so shocked to hear about Carlos. We were friends for 50 years. I first met Carlos in London. He invited me to his Christmas party on Beekman Place. So much fun. I had just moved down the street. He became a frequent visitor. I had great roommates. We had so many laughs and we all loved him. Many many wonderful memories of times together. Lunches, dinners Uptown, Downtown. Westside Eastside and, of course, Banksville.
There was no one he was more proud of and he adored ......his son, Jamie.
Goodbye,Carlos. No one Quite like you. Always made me laugh.
Love. Liz Seppala Antelo

John M. Davis

October 12, 2020

I first encountered Carlos at age 11, when we were lined up next to one another at the Riverdale Country School. Carlos didn't like Riverside at all, but even then he had a "big" personality, and he and I (Tony Adler) began a friendship which lasted a lifetime.
How well I remember his mother Aida, and his sister Luisa. My parents adored Carlos, he was so full of life! He always called my parents by their first names, "How are Betty and Arnold?" he would ask. And his Christmas parties on Beekman Street Place in that one bedroom apartment with its terrace were legendary. All were invited, but also made to feel included and were thoughtfully introduced.
I attended his first marriage to Maria. It was tiny at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. I have not seen Carlos since 2005 when he stopped by my party at 1A East 77th St, but didn't stay long. Carlos was always chasing a dream.
I was shocked and saddened to read in the New York Times of my old friend's passing. He lived his life on his own terms with gusto and joie de vivre. I still have all the letters that he wrote to me from Europe. He was always good at teaching in touch.

Rest in peace, old friend.

Emma

October 6, 2020

Raise a glass to Carlos, to a life lived fully, impossible to imagine the world without him...

“...contemplando cómo se pasa la vida... “

Steve Wells

October 1, 2020

A terrific colleague and friend, I've missed him in the years since we last got together, and will miss him more profoundly now.

Edmundo Miguel Jacinto

September 30, 2020

Amigo de sus amigos,
qué señor para parientes!
Qué maestro de esforzados
y valientes!
Qué seso para discretos!
Qué gracia para donosos!
Qué razón!
Qué benigno a los sujetos!

Y aunque la vida murió,
nos dejó harto consuelo
su memoria.

Olé, Carlos, Olé!

Michael Danly

September 29, 2020

I first met Carlos in 1970 when we both spent our junior year abroad at L'Academie in Paris. Many dinner parties, many late nights and all nighters. We took advantage of our youth and energy, with Carlos as motivator and party man in chief, in the city of love back when Paris was in its prime. We remained friends for decades after. I am sad to learn of Carlos' passing. If only we could all live life with such enthusiasm and joy. God Bless Carlos.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results