Jaye Davidson was born on this day in 1968. He is an American born British actor, model and fashion promoter. He is best known for his roles as transwoman Dil in the 1992 film “The Crying Game”, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Jaye Davidson was born Alfred Amey in Riverside, California, to a Ghanaian father and English mother. Jaye has two sisters and his family moved to the United Kingdom when he was two years old. He grew up in the London suburb of Hertfordshire, England. The actor is hesitant about discussing his parents, especially his late father: We shant even mention him. My mother would be very annoyed, he noted in a Rolling Stone interview. Davidson did, however, emphasize his fabulous relationship with his businesswoman mother. “My mothers very correct and very beautiful. Shes to be admired. She brought three children up and worked full time and ran a house--all on her own. He left school early to pursue his interests in the fashion business, but first took a job at Walt Disneys London offices--inside a life-sized Pluto costume--and later became a fashion assistant with the task of buying the fabric and buttons. His exotic and androgynous look led to his casting as “Dil” in “The Crying Game” with Forest Whitaker. Davidson, who had no acting experience, was discovered by a casting associate at a wrap party for Derek Jarmans “Edward II.” Offered an audition, he refused, later telling the New York Times, that he was inebriated and had no recollection of the exchange. Even so, the films casting personnel, unsatisfied by the parade of transvestites seeking the part, kept after him. Though he had been working for fashion designers David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, he soon found his employers business going under. At last Davidson relented and read for the role; his unstudied poise and integrity appealed to the producers, and he was offered the part. Neil Jordan’s “The Crying Game” was well received by critics as well as the public and the movie was an unexpected hit. Distributed by Miramax, critics tended to obey a request to not disclose the film’s surprise scene in which it is revealed that “Dil” is in fact a man. Jaye Davidson was a surprise nomination in the 1992 Oscar race, nominated as Best Supporting Actor. He wound up losing to Gene Hackman’s evil sheriff in “Unforgiven,” but he was the first biracial British actor to be nominated for an Oscar. His powerful role in “The Crying Game” also garnered Jaye Davidson a nomination by the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He was also voted “best newcomer” by the National Board of Review. When he was nominated for an Academy Award in 1993 he quickly became the biggest question mark of the Oscars, not just the matter of whether the notoriously shy actor would decide to attend the show but what hed wear if he did show up. After being modest about the event for weeks, he showed up in an aptly gender-bending ensemble: a womans equestrian-style blazer, white shirt, riding breeches and thigh-high leather boots. Later, he pronounced himself happy to have met Jane Fonda and Richard Gere. After filming wrapped, he returned to his fashion career until landing the role of the evil sun god Ra in the film “Stargate” in 1994, opposite Kurt Russell and James Spader. His dislike of the attention that he received after “The Crying Game” made him reluctant to take the role in “Stargate.” He didnt want to just turn the offer down so made what he expected to be an unacceptable demand of $1 million dollars. His demand was accepted and he accepted the role. He also appeared as himself in the 1996 documentary “Catwalk,” and had a small part in the 1999 film “Cousin Joey.” In 2009, he emerged from obscurity to play a role as a Nazi photographer in “The Borghilde Project.” Jaye Davidson has reportedly retired from acting, stating that he genuinely hated the fame he was receiving. He has become more driven towards the fashion business now and has worked on several big photoshoots: for Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue; Michael Roberts for Joseph, and a GAP ad by celebrity photographer Annie Leibowitz. He accompanied Kate Moss to the British Fashion Awards and appeared in Paris at Valentinos jet-set party in honor of Sharon Stone, where he accompanied Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. On Hollywood’s treatment of Gay characters, Jaye Davidson said “It just happens that some desires go this way and some desires go that way. Its sad when people are oppressed. But its a question of rising above it. Personally, mentally and, if you have to, physically.” Jaye Davidson enjoys his simple and blissful life away from the focus of media and publicity. He is happily single and proud of his work as a fashion assistant in London. We join Jaye Davidson on this day to celebrate his 46th Birthday, and thank him for his cinematic achievements, and his many contributions to our community. Copyright © MMXIV Stephen A. Maglott. I’m not fond of lawyers, but I have one anyway. She insist that I inform you that permission to share this biography or any portion thereof, on an online service or blog other than Facebook, must be granted in writing by yours truly (Stephen Maglott). Please feel free however, to share this post with others on Facebook. * If you enjoy these biographical tributes to same-gender loving/Trans men and women of African descent, please “like” the Ubuntu Biography Project page! And then go back and select “Get Notifications”. (https://facebook/UbuntuBiographyProject) Thank you.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 10:49:16 +0000
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