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Robert Creel "Brad" Davis (November 6, 1949 – September 8, 1991) was an American actor, best known for his role in the 1978 film Midnight Express.

Early life

Born Robert Creel Davis in Tallahassee, Florida to Eugene Davis, a dentist whose career declined due to alcoholism, and his wife, Anne Creel. His brother Gene is also an actor. According to an article in The New York Times published in 1987, Davis suffered physical abuse and sexual abuse at the hands of both parents. As an adult, he was an alcoholic and an intravenous drug user before becoming sober in 1981.^[1] Davis was known as "Bobby" during his youth, but took Brad as his stage name in 1973.^[1]

Career

At 17, after winning a music talent contest, Davis worked at Theatre Atlanta. He later moved to New York City and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, as well as studied acting at the American Place Theater. After a role on the soap opera How to Survive a Marriage, he performed in off-Broadway plays. In 1976 he was cast as Sally Field's love interest in the television film Sybil. He played the lead role in Larry Kramer's play about AIDS, The Normal Heart (1985).

His most successful film role was as the main character, Billy Hayes, in Midnight Express (1978), for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Acting Debut - Male. He was also nominated for a similar award at that year's BAFTA Awards, in addition to receiving Best Actor nominations at both ceremonies. He also had a small role in Roots.

Personal life

Davis was married to Susan Bluestein, who later became an Emmy Award-winning casting director. They had one child, Alexandra.^[1]

Diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, Davis kept his condition secret until shortly before his death. Although the announcement said he died of AIDS in 1991 in Los Angeles, he actually died of an intentional drug overdose. Near death and in severe pain in a hospital, he opted to return home and end his life on his own terms. With his wife and a family friend present, he committed assisted suicide.^[2] Susan Bluestein Davis continues to campaign to combat AIDS.

Davis was referred to as "the first heterosexual actor to die of AIDS," although he reportedly was bisexual, a claim disputed by his wife in her book.^[3] When asked if he considered himself bisexual, he replied "didn't someone once say everyone's bisexual, deep down?".^[4]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Brad Davis at the Internet Movie Database
• Brad Davis at the Internet off-Broadway Database
• Brad Davis at TV.com
• Brad Davis at Find a Grave