Little Nicky Davies, as he was known, became a child star at the tender age of seven, playing the loveable Rusty in the 1976 Christmas TV classic Rusty: An Elf Story.
Nicky reprised the role of Rusty in the 1977 sequel Rusty's New Boots! The show, which was generally dismissed by critics, marked Nick's beginnings as a junior trendsetter. Upon the show’s broadcast premiere, retail outlets began reporting record sales of Nick’s trademark shaggy boots.
Before long, with hormones surging and hair growing in new places, Nicky made the transition from child star to teen heartthrob, winning the role of Spunk, the gay punk teenybopper on TV’s DeGrassi Junior High.
As Nick's popularity blossomed, he became a sought-after model and a familiar face across Canada and the US. An early series of photos in the catalogue for Eaton's, a famed Canadian retailer, featured Nick posing with Canadian landmarks.
Nick's work for American Apparel continues to set Ebay auction records, driven by men in penitentiaries serving time for sexual offences.
Nick won a lucrative product placement sponsorship with the American food giant Del Monte.
When this famous photo appeared on the cover of Women's Wear Daily, several major street fads were launched. Chainlink suspenders became all the rage. The following year, no one was surprised when Madonna showed up at the Grammy Awards sporting her own Fag tattoo.
One performance would stand out in Nick's career, earning him his first Ninny™ (as the Canadian Gemininie Awards are known) in the category of Best Actor In A Special Performance. Nick's poignant portrayal of Jimmy Dunce, the little gay retarded boy, stole everyone's heart. A memorable scene, in which he cries when the other boys call him Rimmy Jimmy, Credit: was later used in an anti-bullying PSA.
With fame came a luxurious lifestyle — as well as Nick's introduction to the unhealthy vices of smoking, drinking and hair products. Credit: was later used in an anti-bullying PSA.
Nick spent as much time cruising as his busy schedule would permit. Credit: was later used in an anti-bullying PSA.
As his star rose, Nick became a magnet for controversy. This 1989 Teen Beat cover shot led various Catholic agencies to call for a boycott: the insertion of a crucifix into Nick's mouth was considered extreme blasphemy. Ironically, a more shocking image from that shoot had already been rejected by Teen Beat. The never-released photo, also of Nick with Credit: a crucifix, was reportedly inspired by Linda Blair's performance in the film The
Nick's boy band Take This would influence countless imitators. Credit: a crucifix, was reportedly inspired by Linda Blair's performance in the film The
Nick went on to star alongside veteran actress Suzette Pleshanne in the summer replacement series Sin Sinatti. The two played wholesome farm girls, Susan and Sharon Sinatti, who have a lot to learn when they find work as secretaries in sinful Cincinatti. Every week the girls were newly shocked by an aspect of loose, fast city life. The show was credited with Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Despite their country upbringing, the Sinatti girls would find laughter by each episode's end, ultimately taking delight in the zany urban antics and their own endless capacity to normalize big-city deviance and depravity. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
In Waiting for Pancakes, Canadian director Bruce McDonald's first Dogme film, Nick famously orders pancakes, waits for 35 minutes, eats his pancakes and pays for them at the cash. Nick's performance in this ambitious one-shot, one-take film earned him a second Ninny™ in the English Drama division, for Best Actor In A Film Shot Outside Of The GTA. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Nick played Carnaby, a free-spirited hippy in the West End production of the musical Caravan Girl. Later, in Nick's honour, a street in London, England would be named after the character. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Nick starred in Girl With A Pearl Necklace, based on the book about Dutch master painter Vermeer. Nick enjoyed portraying women, and became an amateur female impersonator in his off time. He appeared regularly with other impersonators at Bar 501 in Toronto, Canada, although he refused to appear as standard divas like Cher and Liza. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Inexplicably, the crowds at Toronto's Bar 501 did not respond well to Nick's turn as synth pop star Lene Lovich. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
As Nick's fame spread to the corners of the world, he appeared in the hit Australian sitcom Bloody Kiwi Yobbo. The show chronicled the hilarious frustrations of a wakeboading Sydneysider who is transported by the surf to New Zealand, where he must learn to endure the irritations presented by moisture and foreigners. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
At the height of his fame, Nick's life seemed perfect. Soon, cracks would begin to show. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
The constant hounding of the paparazzi made Nick feel stressed and vulnerable. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Nick acted out by flirting with heterosexuality, sometimes taking two lovers at a time. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Somehow, though, Nick's liaisons with women never quite worked out. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Nick's lifestyle became increasingly louche and decadent. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Rumours began to circulate about excessive drug use. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
In 2003, Nick suffered a complete breakdown in a Havana hotel room. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
When agents stopped returning his calls, Nick was reduced to office work, which made him unhappy. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
After a stint in rehab, Nick became a recluse, retreating into a solitary, meditative environment. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
As money ran out, Nick appeared in a single Adidas advertisement in 2004. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Shortly after a studio session photographing artist Judy Chicago's feet, Nick disappeared into the desert to contemplate and seek answers to the age-old questions. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
Nick is currently in complete seclusion somewhere in northern Canada. His absence fuels endless speculation about when and where he will turn up next. What will be his next cause célèbre? What will he be wearing? Whatever the future holds, we’re sure to be shocked and enthralled, yet again. Credit: dealing sensitively with themes of prostitution, drug addiction & homosexuality.
As legendary actor, model and performer Nicholas Davies turns 40 this week, we take a look at his long and varied career.
The former child star shot to fame tackling a series of memorable roles, winning two Best Actor Ninnies™ along the way. At every turn, Nick used his influence to change the world for the better, challenging audiences and championing a long list of underdog causes. Nick also used his influence to generate millions in revenues for the many companies who sought to associate their wares with his image.
Ultimately, fame would take its toll on Nick and he fell into an all-too-familiar trap of excess and addiction. After years of embarrassing behaviour, Nick disappeared into seclusion several years ago, leaving the tabloids to speculate on his whereabouts. Below, our photo gallery looks back at some key moments in the career of Nicholas Davies, a true legend.
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