We can confirm that actor Wenne Alton Davis has died after being struck by a car in Midtown Manhattan. She was 60. The collision happened Monday night, December 8, around 9 p.m., at West 53rd Street and Broadway. Davis was walking to the train after dinner. She was taken to Mount Sinai West with severe trauma and later died.
The incident on West 53rd and Broadway
NYPD investigators say the driver, a 61-year-old, stayed at the scene and was not injured. No charges had been announced as of Thursday, December 11. The NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is leading the case. More details are expected as the review continues. The vehicle was making a left turn at the intersection when the crash occurred, according to preliminary information.
The investigation is active. No charges had been filed as of Thursday, December 11.
This corner sits at the heart of Midtown’s theater and tourism zone. Traffic is heavy, even on weekday nights. Many New Yorkers know that crosswalk well, which makes this loss feel even closer to home.
The artist and the work
Davis, born Wendy Davis on October 18, 1965, performed under the name Wenne Alton Davis. She brought grit, warmth, and that unmistakable New York timing to every set. She spent years building a steady, respected career across TV dramas and comedies. Her last screen moment, a guest turn on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, became a calling card, the kind that makes viewers say, I know her.
- Rescue Me
- The Normal Heart
- American Odyssey
- Blindspot and New Amsterdam
- Girls5eva and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Season 5
She started in stand-up, then shifted to character roles that popped. Casting directors trusted her. Co-stars leaned on her. She was the actor who showed up prepared, listened hard, and lifted every scene.
Want to honor her work tonight, cue up her Maisel episode, then revisit her turns in Rescue Me and The Normal Heart.
A New Yorker, on and off screen
Davis lived in Forest Hills, Queens. Off camera, she worked as a security officer at JFK. That double life, artist and protector, felt very New York. Colleagues at the airport described her as steady and kind. Neighbors shared stories of hallway check-ins, cat photos, and quick jokes in the elevator.
One neighbor told us she had said, I love you, I appreciate you, just days before. It sounded like a goodbye in hindsight. The grief is personal on her block today, and it is deep across the airport community that knew her daily.
Heartfelt reactions from the industry and beyond
Colleagues are remembering a bright light. Several castmates from past shows reached out with simple, aching notes. They talked about her generosity at table reads and her sharp instincts on set. Friends from Queens recall her love of boxing, her rescue-cat stories, and her big laugh that filled a room.
Fans know her face. They remember her as the officer with a human touch, the nurse with a backbone, the neighbor with perfect timing. Her strength read clean on camera. So did her heart. 🕯️
The larger question, walking in Midtown
This loss lands in a city that is still fighting for safer streets. Midtown’s left turns, long crosswalks, and quick light changes can create risky moments for people walking at night. New Yorkers know the drill. Look twice, keep your head up, and still, sometimes it is not enough.
City planners have added signals and protected turns in many places. Advocates want more of that in busy corridors like Broadway in the 50s. The goal is simple, to make sure people walking home after dinner get there.
If you witnessed the crash near West 53rd and Broadway around 9 p.m. on Monday, contact NYPD Collision Investigation Squad with any details.
How fans can honor Wenne
You can keep her spirit present with small acts that mattered to her.
- Watch her work, then share your favorite scene with a friend.
- Support a local theater or acting class in her name.
- Show care to your building’s staff and your neighbors, the way she did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Wenne Alton Davis?
A: She was struck by a car at West 53rd Street and Broadway around 9 p.m. on Monday, December 8, and later died at Mount Sinai West.
Q: Were there any arrests or charges?
A: As of Thursday, December 11, no charges had been announced. The driver remained at the scene.
Q: What shows was she in?
A: Her credits include Rescue Me, The Normal Heart, American Odyssey, Blindspot, New Amsterdam, Girls5eva, and a 2023 guest role on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Q: Where did she live and work?
A: She lived in Forest Hills, Queens, and worked as a security officer at JFK.
Q: Will there be a public memorial?
A: Plans had not been shared at the time of publication. We will update when details are available.
Conclusion
Wenne Alton Davis gave New York its reflection, tough and tender, on screen and off. She carried scenes with quiet power, then went home to Queens like so many working artists in this city. Tonight, we remember the life she built here, the roles she nailed, and the community she loved. May her memory be a blessing, and may our streets honor her with greater care.
