Jon Davison, a highly accomplished and celebrated film producer, came into the world on July 21, 1949, in the quaint and picturesque town of Haddonfield, nestled in the state of New Jersey, which is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and stunning natural beauty.
He embarked on a journey of academic exploration, ultimately finding himself immersed in the esteemed environment of New York University's Film Institute, where he had the extraordinary privilege of being guided and mentored by the renowned and illustrious director Martin Scorsese, a master of his craft and a pillar of the film industry.
Jon's tenure at New York University was marked by a profound enthusiasm for the art of filmmaking, which he chose to express by organizing a series of film retrospectives at the legendary Fillmore East, a historic music venue located in the heart of the East Village, a culturally rich and vibrant neighborhood in Manhattan.
Davison's illustrious career trajectory commenced with a stint as the proprietor of the esteemed St. Marks Cinematheque movie theater in the vibrant city of New York, where he skillfully cultivated his expertise and fostered a profound comprehension of the cinematic industry's inner workings.
It was during this pivotal juncture in his life that Jon's acquaintance and soon-to-be renowned film director, Jonathan Kaplan, who shared a common educational background at New York University, inspired Jon to take the bold step of relocating to the City of Angels, specifically the vibrant and culturally rich metropolis of Los Angeles, California.
In the year 1972, Davison embarked on a collaborative endeavor with the renowned B-movie production company New World Pictures, a cinematic entity that was founded by the trailblazing and visionary filmmaker Roger Corman, a master of the low-budget film genre.
Jon's illustrious career in the film industry began with a stint as the director of advertising and publicity for the renowned New World Pictures, a prominent production company of its time. This pivotal role laid the foundation for his future endeavors, as he went on to make his directorial debut with the 1974 film "Big Bad Mama," serving as an associate producer on this notable project.
The esteemed individual embarked upon a remarkable trajectory, yielding a succession of films that garnered widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. Among his most notable endeavors were the side-splitting, tongue-in-cheek homage to exploitation cinema, "Hollywood Boulevard," which showcased his mastery of the genre. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the directorial debut of the renowned Ron Howard, "Grand Theft Auto," a film that demonstrated Howard's burgeoning talent behind the camera. Furthermore, he collaborated with the ingenious Joe Dante on the clever, tongue-in-cheek romp "Piranha," a cinematic treat that cleverly poked fun at the conventions of the killer animal subgenre.
Jon, a renowned film producer, made a pivotal career move in the year 1980, departing from his role at New World Pictures to embark on a new and exciting chapter in his professional journey.
It was during this period that he had the opportunity to collaborate with the ingenious comedic minds of Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers, a partnership that would yield a pair of sidesplitting comedies that would leave audiences in stitches.
These two projects, "Airplane!" and "Top Secret!", would go on to cement Jon's reputation as a master producer of comedy, showcasing his exceptional skill in bringing together talented individuals to create laughter-filled masterpieces that would be remembered for generations to come.
As a testament to his success, these films would become iconic in the world of comedy, with "Airplane!" being hailed as a classic and "Top Secret!" receiving widespread critical acclaim for its clever wit and zany humor.
Jon's decision to leave New World Pictures and join forces with Abrahams and the Zucker brothers would prove to be a wise and lucrative one, as it would allow him to tap into his creative potential and produce some of the most memorable comedies of the era.
Davison's subsequent productions comprised a diverse array of films that showcased his versatility as a producer, including a pair of science fiction cult classics that resonated with audiences worldwide, namely "RoboCop" and "Starship Troopers", both of which were brought to life under the visionary direction of the acclaimed filmmaker Paul Verhoeven.
Not only did Joe Mcmahan assume responsibility for overseeing the supplementary filming segments on both "Rock'n'Roll High School" and "The Howling," but he also effectively managed the intricate logistics of directing these additional scenes with meticulous care and attention to detail.
Jon Davison's illustrious career has been punctuated by a diverse array of cinematic endeavors, with his presence being felt in a multitude of motion pictures. One of his most notable and enduring roles is undoubtedly the distinctive, tinny metallic voice of ED-209, a malfunctioning robot imbued with a deadly intent, in the cult classic "RoboCop".
