Daniel Davis (born November 26, 1945) is an American stage, screen, and television actor. He is known for portraying Niles the butler on the sitcom The Nanny (1993–99) and for his two guest appearances as Professor Moriarty on Star Trek: The Next Generation, affecting an upper class English accent for both roles. Davis also voices the intelligent Cro Magnon, Longhair from the Longhair and Doubledome cartoon shorts from Cartoon Network's Big Pick.

Biography

Davis was born in Gurdon, Arkansas, and grew up in Little Rock. His parents operated a movie theater. His first acting job was at the age of 11, when he was cast in a local broadcast program called Betty's Little Rascals. Davis graduated from Hall High School in Little Rock in 1963. He graduated from the Arkansas Arts Center with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, followed by work with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and six years with the American Conservatory Theatre. During his time at ACT, he also taught acting.