Billy Hayes

This article is about the US convicted drug smuggler and author. For the UK trade unionist, go to Billy Hayes (trade unionist) .

Billy Hayes is a convicted drug smuggler whose story inspired the film Midnight Express.

Hayes, an American student, was caught trying to smuggle hashish out of Turkey in 1970. He was originally sentenced to four years in a Turkish prison, which was later extended to a life sentence. He escaped a year later to Greece, and then home.

Hayes wrote a book on his ordeal, which later became the inaccurate but harrowing film, Midnight Express, released in 1978, starring Brad Davis in the title role. The film was directed by Alan Parker, with screenplay by Oliver Stone.