Remembering actor Brad Davis on what would have been his 75th birthday
Midnight Express. Based on a true story, Davis played a young man, Billy Hayes, who was arrested in Istanbul, Turkey, for attempting to smuggle drugs.
Hayes received a lengthy prison sentence in a gruesome jail but escaped after five years. The role landed Davis a Golden Globe for Best Newcomer.Before this, Davis had a small role in the TV drama, Roots, and played Sally Field’s love interest in the movie, Sybil.
In 1977, Davis was cast to play John Rambo in First Blood. However, the project fell through due to studio wranglings. It later returned in 1982 with Sylvester Stallone in the lead role.Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.After Midnight Express, Davis went on to feature as one of the Team USA athletes in Chariots of Fire (1981) and in queer director Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s final film, Querelle (1982).
The latter remains a cult queer favorite that made an impression on generations of gay viewers.He also had a string of TV credits to his name, including playing Bobby Kennedy in Robert Kennedy & His Times.
