This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Marvin Davis Obituary
Oilman Marvin Davis died Saturday at his Beverly Hills home. He was 79. The Los Angeles Times pubished his obitin Sunday's edition.
"The wealthiest individual in Los Angeles for much of the last two decades, Davis was recently estimated by Forbes magazine to be worth $5.8 billion.
Although his fortune was built in the dusty oil fields of Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Texas, where he was known as "Mr. Wildcatter," Davis was inexorably linked to Hollywood. He even had his own table at Spago in Beverly Hills, where he was a regular...
At various times, the Davis portfolio included such high-profile properties in Southern California as Santa Monica's Water Garden and the 34-story Fox Plaza in Century City. The Fox Plaza was built by Davis, housed President Reagan's offices after he left the White House and became famous for its use in the action film "Die Hard."
Davis was close friends with such celebrities as actor Sidney Poitier and the late Frank Sinatra, as well as with such prominent figures as former President Ford and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Davis and his wife, Barbara, organized some of Hollywood's glitziest A-list philanthropic events, raising tens of millions of dollars over the years for charities," including the high-profile biennial "Carousel of Hope" fundraiser in Beverly Hills.
No "Die Hard" jokes, we promise.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
