Jaye Davidson


Actor

About

Birth Place
Riverside, California, USA

Biography

Poised, photogenic performer with strikingly delicate features, of British-African ancestry. Davidson was born in California but raised in the white middle-class surroundings of Hertfordshire, England. After being discovered at a London wrap party for Derek Jarman's "Edward II," this androgynous, light-complexioned beauty made a big splash with a screen debut in Neil Jordan's "The Crying...

Photos & Videos

Biography

Poised, photogenic performer with strikingly delicate features, of British-African ancestry. Davidson was born in California but raised in the white middle-class surroundings of Hertfordshire, England. After being discovered at a London wrap party for Derek Jarman's "Edward II," this androgynous, light-complexioned beauty made a big splash with a screen debut in Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" (1992). Though untrained in acting, Davidson was riveting and fascinating as Dil, a mysterious London singer and hairdresser who confounded many a spectator's expectations. His remarkable achievement was acknowledged with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Davidson next landed a starring role in the science fiction epic, "Stargate" (1994) playing the sun god Ra, a villainous force who rules a parallel universe that echoes the Egypt of Hollywood biblical movies. Though Janet Maslin of THE NEW YORK TIMES noted that the part didn't involve much acting, she added that Davidson "makes the perfect Ra mannequin."

Life Events

1968

Moved to England (date approximate)

1992

Acting debut in Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game"

1994

Demanded and received $1 million to appear in Roland Emmerich's "Stargate"

Bibliography