Local connection to the actress Elizabeth Taylor

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Many of you may have fond memories of Elizabeth Taylor, the actress who starred in many films including “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Cleopatra”.  

One Wilmington man has very fond memories after becoming friends with Taylor in her later life.  

We met with him Tuesday to discuss their friendship. 

“I’m truly blessed to have such a relationship with such an icon,” Jesse Davis shared. 

Elizabeth Taylor, a two-time Oscar winning actress and Hollywood legend, lived a profound life.  

Married 8 times, she also formed deep friendships, including one with Jesse Davis, owner of the private club, The Penthouse in Wilmington. 

Davis met Taylor while working at a nightclub in Los Angeles. 

Their bond grew quickly. 

“Before you know it like we’re having lunch at The Abbey, she’s sending her driver to pick me up at the house. We are hanging out at her house, we are lying in bed, we are watching TV. Her favorite show was Law and Order,” Davis remembered.  

Taylor’s legacy resurfaced with HBO’s August release of the documentary ‘Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes’. 

“The younger generation are like wow this woman was known was the most beautiful person in the world. How is that possible? I think her beauty also came from within. She just radiated class,” Davis said. 

Among the gifts Taylor gave Davis was a unique keepsake, a piece of stationery that she kissed, leaving a lip-stick stain. 

“When I was moving back from Beverly Hills to Wilmington, it fell on the floor and I said oh my god the lips, I was like oh man. So, I opened it and there they were, so I had it framed,” Davis said. 

But in 2020, during a Halloween party at The Penthouse, someone stole it.  

“Everything up here has a story…I mean everything you see has a story. That was a really nice piece to talk about. The fact that someone came in my venue…took it off the wall and left. I think that there should be some justice in this,” Davis exclaimed.  

Davis wants this picture to be returned. Even without the memento, he still treasures the time spent with Taylor. 

“No matter what happens, the robberies, lawsuits I’ve had, no one can take away the memories I’ve had with her,” Davis shared. 

To hear Jesse Davis’ full story about Elizabeth Taylor you can tune into the “Penthouse Podcast” on Youtube and Spotify once released.