Queer actor and Durham, North Carolina native Wenne Alton Davis died last week after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Midtown Manhattan, according to New York police. Davis was born in 1965 to Harriett and Dewey Alton Davis. The actor chose their stage name, Wenne Alton Davis, to honor their father. Davis is survived by both parents; a sister, Kim Hunter; and a nephew, Josh Hunter. Including their father, some survivors still reside in the Durham area.
NYPD officers responded just after 9 p.m. on Monday, December 8 to reports of a pedestrian struck at the intersection of West 53rd Street and Broadway. Police said a black Cadillac SUV making a left turn hit Davis as they crossed the street. Davis was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead from severe head and body trauma. The driver remained at the scene. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Davis’ agent, Jamie Harris, confirmed their death and described Davis as “a bright light” who deeply loved New York, acting and the people in their life. Harris said Davis moved to New York in their late 20s to pursue standup comedy before transitioning into acting.
Friends told multiple outlets that Davis was on their way to dinner to celebrate a successful audition at the time of the crash. Comedian Joanna Briley, a longtime friend, told the New York Daily News that Davis had been excited about the audition earlier that day. “She had a dope audition,” Briley said. “She knew she had got it, and I was waiting for her to tell me the good news. That’s what makes this even more devastating.”
Although Davis built a steady acting career, friends said Davis continued working as a customs officer at John F. Kennedy International Airport to support themselves. Briley said Davis recently told her they were nearing retirement, saying, “I have three more summers.” When not acting, Davis enjoyed boxing and hockey and played on the JFK Customs hockey team, which posted a tribute describing the loss as deeply felt across their department.
Davis appeared in a wide range of film and television projects over two decades. Their credits include HBO’s adaptation of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, the Amazon series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, New Amsterdam, Blindspot, Girls5eva, Rescue Me, and the 2011 film Shame.
Friends said Davis had been looking forward to returning to standup comedy. Briley said she had begun arranging supportive open mic opportunities to help Davis ease back into performing. “She was so empowered and was such a beautiful light,” Briley said. “She was doing so much, and she wanted to do so much still.”
Tributes from friends, colleagues and fans have highlighted Davis’ warmth, generosity and persistence in an industry that often demands more than it gives back, underscoring the loss felt across New York’s queer and creative communities.