Entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr.

On December 8, 1925, Samuel “Sammy” George Davis Jr. was born to an African-American father, Samuel Davis Sr., and an Afro-Cuban mother, Elvira Sanchez, who both worked as vaudeville dancers. After Elvira left her family behind, as well as the performance group, Sammy Davis Jr. took his mother’s place in the group.

Davis made his debut at the age of 4 performing vaudeville in the Will Mastin Trio comprised of his father and “adopted” uncle, Will Mastin. Davis never attended school and grew up under the show business’ protective umbrella shielding the young performer from racial prejudice.

However, after being drafted into the United States Army, during World War II at the age of 18, Davis was confronted first hand with racial taunts by the White G.I.s who later broke his nose. The young soldier recounts that through his hard work in the Army camps, he wanted to “neutralize them and make them acknowledge” him.

Davis’ early motive to earn respect from his surroundings and the White community further engaged his frequent participation in civil rights marches. His collective awards include: a Hall of Fame award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), honorary degrees and a Kennedy Center Honor for career achievement.

Davis starred in Broadway musicals, such as “Mr. Wonderful” (1956) and “Golden Boy” (1964) but won critical acclaim for his Hollywood role as Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess (1959). To the public, Davis’ most successful roles were those of the singer and dancer playing himself, especially in Rat Pack movies like Salt and Pepper (1968). Frank Sinatra, a notable member of the Rat Pack, acted as a guide during Davis’ youth. Davis also formed a close friendship with Elvis Presley while headlining as a top-act in Las Vegas during the late ‘60s.

Undoubtedly, Davis’ work remained his first priority. Even after a near fatal car crash in 1954, that left Davis without his left eye, the performer returned on stage to joke about his new eye-patch. Davis also suffered a major health setback when he had reconstructive hip surgery in 1985, but was able to continue dancing.

Despite his escalating career, Davis was repeatedly scrutinized for his religious belief of Judaism and his interracial marriage to a White Swedish-born model named May Britt. The couple was advised by John F. Kennedy not to attend the 1961 Presidential inauguration from the possibility of offending Southerners.

“Being a star has made it possible for me to get insulted in places where the average Negro could never hope to go and get insulted,” said Davis.

Davis broke through racial barriers in his personal life as well as public career. In the 1967 musical-variety special titled, Movin’ In With Nancy featuring Nancy Sinatra (Frank Sinatra’s daughter), Nancy and Davis greeted each other with a kiss, which was one of the first Black-White kisses in U.S. broadcast history.

The announcement of his throat cancer in 1989 did not daunt Davis’ spirit; he portrayed a dancer in the film, Tap (1989), the year before his death on May 16, 1990, at the age of 64.

Although he paved the way for future African-American performers and set the bar for racial equality in the entertainment business, Sammy Davis Jr. delivers a message for future generations.

“Real success is not on the stage, but off the stage as a human being, and how you get along with your fellow man.”