Kathy Garver, beloved for her role as Cissy Davis on the 1960s sitcom “Family Affair,” has shared heartbreaking news of her personal loss. The actress, 79, revealed in a Facebook post on August 30 that her husband of 44 years, David Travis, died early that morning after a courageous battle with cancer.
Garver’s Sweet Tribute To Husband of 44 Years
(Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)“I am sad to report that my beloved husband of 44 years David Travis passed away at 3:00 this morning losing his brave battle with cancer,” Garver wrote, alongside family photos of her husband and their son, Reid.
Fans also left messages of support following her announcement, with one writing, “So very sad for you. May you be comforted with the wonderful loving memories you shared together. Take care of yourself……” Another sweet message read: “So very sorry for your loss he will Always be with you God bless”
Another fan wrote: “I am so very sorry, Kathy. My sincere condolences. Prayers for all who loved him.”
When Garver Spoke About Her Marriage
As Per Los Angeles Times, the couple married in 1981 and had been living in the Bay Area. In past interviews, Garver fondly recalled meeting Travis on a tennis court in Palm Springs.
In a 2021 interview with Closer Weekly, Garver revealed the secret to their decades-long marriage. “You have to really like the person,” she said.
“My husband is a very nice person, in some ways nicer than me! So you have to like them, and recognize their niceness, and also, we have separate bank accounts! I think that is very important. I couldn’t imagine having a shared bank account with someone and needing to ask, ‘Oh, what did you spend money on there?’ I’m very independent and it works for us.”
From ‘Family Affair’ to a Lasting Career
Garver became a household name as orphaned teen Cissy Davis on CBS’s “Family Affair,” which aired from 1966 to 1971. She played big sister to Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnny Whitaker). Jones tragically died of a drug overdose at age 18 in 1976.
After the show ended, Garver struggled with being typecast but went on to earn a master’s degree in theater arts from UCLA and study at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
“I thought, ‘Maybe this will help.’ And it did in many ways,” she recalled, as per LA times.
Her career later expanded to include stage, film, and voice-over work. In recent years, Garver appeared in the 2024 film “Christmas Romance at the Roanoke Ranch” and continues to work steadily in Hollywood.
Life & Legacy Beyond Hollywood
Beyond her acting, Garver has shared her Hollywood journey in her memoir, “Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair of Life in Hollywood.”
In the book, she credits her parents for helping her avoid the pitfalls that affected many child stars. “They were wonderful not only with moral support but also guiding me,” she said.
Now, even as she grieves the loss of her husband, Garver remains active in her craft.
Earlier this year, she performed in the premiere of the musical “River Song: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” in Tennessee, completed roles in two films, and prepared for the feature western “Heaven With a Gun.”
Through it all, Garver has carried the spirit of resilience that has defined her career, and her life off-screen with her beloved late husband, David Travis.
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