Obituaries : Bob Davis; Actor, Musician and Chauffeur for Laurel and Hardy

Bob Davis, a musician who got his break in the movies while chauffeuring for Laurel and Hardy, has died of cancer at his North Hollywood home. He was 81.

During a career that spanned more than six decades, Davis appeared in about 50 television shows and films, including “Funny Girl,” “California Suite” and “The Natural.” His last appearance was in “Coming of Age,” a television situation comedy that aired briefly in the fall of 1988, said his wife, Elinor. During his career, he often played the part of a pianist or an orchestra member.

Davis died Saturday.

Born March 5, 1909, in Boston, Davis started taking professional music lessons when he was 5. At age 8, he played classical piano in a concert in Boston. A few years after he moved to Los Angeles with his parents in the mid-1920s, he got a job as a chauffeur, driving the comedy team Laurel and Hardy to and from Hal Roach Studios.

Given a chance to play the piano on a set, he was hired by the studio. He later worked for MGM, Paramount, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, playing the piano, organ, accordion and French horn.

He served in the Army during World War II, earning awards for marksmanship. He was a musician in the officers club at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, achieving the rank of private first class.

Davis is survived by his wife of 31 years. No services are planned, and burial was private. Pierce Brothers Valhalla handled the arrangements.