Beyond the Gates: Clifton Davis’ Hit From the ’70s Is A Serenade For Anita Dupree [VIDEO]
When the holiday spoilers for Beyond the Gates were released by CBS, they indicated that Vernon would serenade Anita with a special song. But little did fans know that by then, the meaning behind the song would be so profound — or Clifton Davis’ personal connection to the ballad.
Clifton Davis on Beyond the Gates
This week on Beyond the Gates, family patriarch Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) serenades his wife Anita (Tamara Tunie) in their home in front of their family. Vernon plays the piano and sings “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
Viewers will recognize the song as a Jackson 5 hit and the first single from their 1971 album, Maybe Tomorrow. It was also released on albums by Gloria Gaynor and Isaac Hayes.
But how many viewers could guess that Clifton Davis actually wrote the song?
Clifton Davis Wrote the song “Never Can Say Goodbye”
New fans of “Vernita,” as he is nicknamed with his matriarch wife on Beyond the Gates, might only know Clifton Davis as the actor playing the ex-U.S. senator who is royalty of the fictional town of Fairmont Crest. But Davis is not new by a long shot — but he is industry royalty.
Aside from being an actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author, Davis is well known on and off-screen for his many talents. A Broadway star, he originated the role of the Sultan in Disney’s Broadway production of Aladdin. Davis was also nominated for a Tony Award for Two Gentlemen of Verona, and starred with Pearl Bailey in Hello, Dolly! — and that’s just scratching the surface of this talented man’s accomplishments.
From writing a chapter in the book “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul” to being a Baptist minister, one could easily say Davis may have done it all…so far.
Known for his humor, Davis made several appearances on The Hollywood Squares in the ‘80s. In an episode, Davis sang a bit of “Never Can Say Goodbye” a capella and then was asked who wrote the song. His answer was, “I did.” Luckily, the contestant correctly agreed and won the square.
Never Can Say Goodbye to Anita
The episode airing the serenade will be a tear-jerker for the character and the audience. Anita was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and told Vernon. As word and reactions spread through the family, there won’t be a dry eye in any house seeing Vernon sing the song to his wife.
It will also dispel the rumors starting to swirl around Fairmont Crest that Vernon was having an affair with one of his wife’s best friends, Sharon (Benita Brisker). It will be revealed that the two were actually practicing the serenade together so Vernon could surprise the love of his life.
See a preview of the serenade, airing December 24th: