Mike Davis (actor)
American actor and director (1945–1986)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Winson Owen Strickland (April 12, 1945 – January 21, 1986), known professionally as Winn Strickland and Mike Davis, was an American art director, set designer, model, and actor.[1] He was a prominent figure in the "Golden Age" of gay adult cinema, recognized for his artistic contributions behind the scenes at Surge Studios and his physical presence as a Colt Studios model.[1] Before his work in adult film, he was an award-winning set designer for major Las Vegas stage productions and mainstream television variety shows.[1][2]
April 12, 1945
Wynn Strickland
Mike Davis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Winson Owen Strickland April 12, 1945 Sacramento County, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1986 (aged 40) West Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Winn Strickland Wynn Strickland |
| Education | Sacramento High School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1972–1986 |
| Agent | Colt Studios |
Early life and education
Strickland was born on April 12, 1945, in Sacramento County, California and he attended Sacramento High School, graduating with the Class of 1963.[3] A carpenter by trade, he developed high-level technical skills in California before moving into professional set design.[4]
Career
Mainstream career
Under the name Winn Strickland (sometimes credited as Wynn Strickland), he established a successful career in mainstream entertainment during the 1970s.[5]
Television and Film
Strickland served as an art director for several high-profile Hollywood productions, including Sixteen (1972), he was the art director for the independent feature film.[5] Later The Osmond Family Show (1979) and he was the art director for the musical variety series and Carol Burnett & Company (1979) for which he was the art director for four episodes of the comedy-variety program.[6]
Las Vegas Stage Productions
Strickland was a highly regarded figure in the Las Vegas theater circuit.[1] He won several prestigious awards for his set designs, most notably for the long-running Folies Bergère at the Tropicana and the production Fire and Ice.[1]
Adult film career
In the late 1970s, Strickland was "discovered" by Colt Studios and began performing under the pseudonym Mike Davis.[7][1]
Performance
Despite his popularity as a model and performer, Strickland was notably reluctant to take speaking roles due to a speech impediment about which he was deeply self-conscious.[8] Consequently, the majority of his early work consisted of still photography and silent "loop" films.[9] He was eventually persuaded by his close friend, director Al Parker, to perform in the 1982 film Games, which remains his only "talking" role.[10]
Art direction at Surge Studios
Strickland's primary professional contribution to the industry was as the Art Director and master carpenter for Surge Studios, owned by Al Parker and Steve Taylor.[1] Parker frequently remarked that Strickland had the unique ability to "make one dollar look like five" on screen.[11] His notable art direction credits included Therapy, he created the "eerie alley" set, Strange Places, Strange Things and he designed a realistic sewer sequence later Century Mining (1985) it is considered his masterpiece; Strickland designed and constructed the film's massive, complex mine sets in just 72 hours despite being in the advanced stages of illness.[1] Mike's other credits includes films such as Head Trips, Hard Disk Drive, and One in a Billion.[1]
Death
Strickland died in his sleep from AIDS-related complications in West Hollywood on January 21, 1986, at the age of 40.[1] Following his wishes, his ashes were released along the California coast.[1]
Filmography
Film
Actor
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Timberwolves Part 1 | Mike | Debut[12] |
| 1977 | Timberwolves Part 2 | Mike | |
| 1978 | The Bonus | Handsome Cowboy | Colt Films |
| 1979 | Service Entry | Mike | Colt Studios |
| 1979 | Moving Violations | Mike | |
| 1981 | The Best Laid Plans | Bricklayer Worker | |
| 1982 | Nighthawk In Leather | Leather Man | |
| 1982 | Turned On! | Bartender | [13] |
| 1983 | Games | Coach | Surge Studios |
| 1984 | The Best of Colt Films, Part 3 | Mike | |
| 1985 | The Best of Colt: Part 4 | Mike | |
| 1986 | Driveshaf | Mike | |
| 1986 | The Best of Colt Films | Mike | |
| 1991 | The Best of Colt Films, Part 9 | Mike | Posthumous release |
| 1992 | The Best of Colt Films, Part 11 | Mike | Posthumous release |
| 1993 | The Best of Colt Films, Part 13 | Mike | Posthumous release |
| 1996 | The Best of Colt Films, Part 14 | Mike | Posthumous release |
| 2000 | Colt Couples I: Colt Men on the Make | Mike | Posthumous release |
| 2000 | Buckshot Collection: Lovers in Summer, Workload, and the COLT Classic Timberwolves | Mike | Posthumous release |
Director
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Head Trips | Designer | Surge Studios |
| 1985 | Hard Disk Drive | Designer of sets | Surge Studios |
| 1985 | Century Mining | Director | Surge Studios |