Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr was debatably the grandest performer in history. From acting to singing to dancing, to impersonating and comedy, the man did it all. He was the total vaudeville man. 

Early Accomplishments

He didn’t receive any formal education and he was already an entertainer at 3 years, being part of the Will Mastin Trio with his dad and his friend. 

He served in the US Army in his late teenage years where he was openly racially abused. 

Best Known For

He was a member of the Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra and friends appearing in movies such as Ocean’s 11 in 1960 and various stage creations. He also led the cast of Golden Boy, a Broadway musical in the 60s.

His most famed work is his 1972’s smash hit The Candy Man and perhaps Something’s Gotta Give in 1955.

Sexual Orientation

Despite his notoriety with women, Sammy was openly bisexual. After being threatened out of his romance with Kim Novak in 1958, he took Loray White as his wife for a year. 

In 1960, he married May Britt but split 8 years on. 

He and Altovise Gore got married in 1970 and stayed wedded until his demise. 

Other women he was with include Lola Falana in 1967 and Peggy Lipton in 1971. 

Family

He was the only product of the short-lived between Sammy Davis Snr. and Elvera Sanchez. He had a daughter with May named Tracey and adopted 2 sons named Jeff and Mark. He again adopted another son with Altovise named Manny. He was a grandfather to Sam and Montana Garner.

Religion 

Although he was born to a Protestant dad and a Catholic mum, religion did not stick with him until he dated Kim Novak who helped him convert to Judaism.

Worth To Know

He was believed to smoke 4 packs of cigarettes daily all his life.

He wore a glass eye after a near-fatal auto crash in 1954 cost him his left eye.