Birth name: Lane Hunt Davies
Born: July 31, 1950 | Dalton, Georgia, USA
Lane Davies as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara
On soap opera ‘Santa Barbara’, Lane Davies played the role of Mason Capwell from episode 1 (July 30, 1984) to episode 1254 (July 1, 1989).
As the eldest son of patriarch C.C. Capwell, Mason was a perpetual outsider, a man forever at odds with both his family and himself.
Mason was the half-brother of Channing (Robert Brian Wilson), Eden (Marcy Walker), Kelly (Robin Wright), and Ted (Todd McKee). Yet, unlike his siblings, his relationship with his domineering father was fraught with conflict, marked by disappointment, bitterness, and defiance.
This fractured bond shaped Mason into one of the soap’s most complex characters, a man who cloaked deep vulnerability beneath razor-sharp wit, sardonic humor, and a penchant for self-destruction.
Lane Davies brought Mason vividly to life, combining intensity, intelligence, and charisma with a biting sense of humor.
His magnetic presence on screen, coupled with his ability to shift effortlessly between comedy and tragedy, made Mason Capwell one of Santa Barbara’s most unpredictable and compelling figures.
Flawed, brilliant, and deeply human, Mason was a character viewers couldn’t turn away from.
Mason’s romantic life was equally unforgettable. His first great love was Mary Duvall, played by Harley Jane Kozak.
Together, Mason and Mary became one of the soap’s quintessential “super couples.”
Their love was tender, passionate, and genuine, capturing the hearts of audiences. But their story ended in devastating fashion with Mary’s shocking and untimely death, an event that left Mason broken and fans heartbroken.
In the wake of that tragedy came Mason’s second defining romance: Julia Wainwright, portrayed by Nancy Lee Grahn.
Their relationship was fiery, passionate, and endlessly entertaining. Fans adored the love-hate dynamic between Mason and Julia, with their sharp exchanges, tumultuous separations, and heartfelt reunions.
Their saga remains one of the most iconic love stories in daytime television history.
Through Mason Capwell, Lane Davies created a legacy, one of wit, romance, tragedy, and complexity. His portrayal elevated ‘Santa Barbara’ and left an indelible mark on the golden age of soap operas.