Jaye Davidson


Jaye Davidson (born Alfred Amey on March 21 1968) is an Oscar-nominated former actor. Davidson identifies as a gay man[1]; he is 5'3" (1.60m) and biracial.

Davidson is the son of a Ghanaian father and English mother but was born in Riverside, California. His family left for England when he was two and a half years old. He grew up in Hertfordshire, UK.

Career

Davidson is best known for his role as the transwoman Dil in the movie The Crying Game (1992). For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, although the prize went to Gene Hackman for his performance in Unforgiven. The nomination led to some controversy, as the revelation of Davidson's gender was a spoiler for viewers who had not yet seen The Crying Game.

Director Neil Jordan revealed in the commentary to The Crying Game Collector's Edition DVD that Davidson was unaware — until the scene in which his character's transwoman identity was revealed was being filmed — that he would be fully nude in the film.

Davidson also appeared as Ra in the film Stargate, (1994) his last film. He no longer acts, preferring to work in the fashion industry. He has returned to the job he had before The Crying Game — working as a fashion assistant in London.

Worked as employee of Walt Disney corporation and as fashion assistant for David and Elizabeth Emmanuel.

Awards

Voted best newcomer by National Board of Review, 1993; Oscar nomination for best supporting actor, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 1993.

References

Citations