Brad Davis was an American actor who is best known for Midnight Express, Querelle, and Chariots of Fire.
Personal and Family Life
Born on November 6, 1949, in Tallahassee, Florida, Brad Davis experienced a troubled childhood marked by abuse and family dysfunction. He married casting director Susan Bluestein in 1979, and they had one child, Alex Blue Davis. Despite facing numerous challenges in his personal life, including substance abuse, he achieved great success on stage and in film.
Career Highlights
Brad Davis started his acting career in off-Broadway plays before breaking into television with roles in series such as Sybil and Roots. His performance in the film Midnight Express brought him fame, garnering a Golden Globe award. He also portrayed complex characters in notable works like Querelle and The Normal Heart, earning critical acclaim for his talent and versatility.
Death and Legacy
Brad Davis died on September 8, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, due to assisted suicide after battling AIDS for several years. His widow, Susan, has continued his legacy by advocating for AIDS awareness and support for those affected by the disease. His contributions to both film and activism leave a lasting impact on the arts and the fight against AIDS.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Player | 1992-04-03 | Brad Davis |
| Midnight Express | 1978-08-31 | Billy Hayes |
| Cold Steel | 1987-12-11 | Johnny Modine |
| Chariots of Fire | 1981-05-15 | Jackson Scholz |
| Vengeance: The Story of Tony Cimo | 1986-11-01 | Tony Cimo |
| The Plot to Kill Hitler | 1990-01-30 | Count Claus von Stauffenberg |
| The Rainbow Warrior Conspiracy | 1988-10-09 | Neil Travers |
| Unspeakable Acts | 1990-01-15 | Joseph Braga |
| A Small Circle of Friends | 1980-03-12 | Leonardo DaVinci Rizzo |
| Hangfire | 1991-01-11 | Sheriff Ike Slayton |
| Il cugino americano | 1986-12-14 | Julian Salina |
| The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial | 1988-05-08 | Lt. Cmdr. Phillip Francis Queeg |
| Heart | 1987-11-01 | Eddie |
| Rosalie Goes Shopping | 1989-11-09 | Ray ‘Liebling’ Greenspace |
| Mrs. Reinhardt | 1981-10-30 | The American |
| When the Time Comes | 1987-05-28 | Dean |
| The Habitation of Dragons | 1992-09-08 | George Tolliver |
| The Edge | 1989-08-23 | Kenny |
| The Secret Life of John Chapman | 1976-12-27 | Andy Chapman |
| Querelle | 1982-09-08 | Querelle |
| Terror in the Aisles | 1984-10-26 | Billy Hayes (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| The Greatest Man in the World | 1981-06-09 | Jack Smurch |
| Child of Darkness, Child of Light | 1991-05-01 | Dr. Tuckner |
| The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1985-09-29 | Arthur |
| The Twilight Zone | 1985-09-27 | Arthur Lewis (segment “Button, Button”) |
| Baretta | 1975-01-17 | Ray |
| Firehouse | 1974-04-11 | Billy Dalzell |
| The Hitchhiker | 1983-11-01 | Rulack |
| Robert Kennedy & His Times | 1985-01-27 | Robert F. Kennedy |
| Chiefs | 1983-11-13 | Sonny Butts |
| A Rumor of War | 1980-09-24 | Philip “Phil” Caputo |
| Sybil | 1976-11-14 | Richard |
| Les Rendez-vous du dimanche | 1975-01-12 | Self |