Sammy Davis Jr. lived several lifetimes before most people turn forty—dancer, singer, actor, impressionist, soldier, convert, and a man who knew both the glow of a White House invitation and the sting of its withdrawal. His career broke barriers, his spending broke budgets, and his friendships with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack became the stuff of legend.
Born: December 8, 1925 ·
Died: May 16, 1990 ·
Cause of Death: Throat cancer ·
Height: 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Born in Harlem, New York City, on December 8, 1925 (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
- Began performing as a child in the Mastin Troupe (Wikipedia)
- Served in the U.S. Army during World War II (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
- Rose to fame as a singer, dancer, actor, and impressionist (The New York Times (leading newspaper))
- Core member of the Rat Pack with Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop (Wikipedia)
- Headlined at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
- Frank Sinatra publicly supported him during racial discrimination incidents (NPR (public radio news outlet))
- Davis’s career flourished in the 1960s (The New York Times (leading newspaper))
- Married white Swedish actress May Britt in 1960, causing JFK to rescind a White House invitation (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
- Davis’s interracial marriage was controversial in the civil rights era (The New York Times (leading newspaper))
- Later divorced Britt, married Altovise Gore in 1970 (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
- Struggled with financial management despite high earnings (NPR (public radio news outlet))
- Died of throat cancer on May 16, 1990, at age 64 (The New York Times (leading newspaper))
- Left an estimated $5–7 million in debt, funeral paid by friends (NPR (public radio news outlet))
- Remembered as a pioneer for African-American entertainers (Oral Cancer Foundation (health advocacy organization))
- Inducted into the Nevada Entertainment Hall of Fame (Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia))
The numbers paint a clear picture of a remarkable career.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel George Davis Jr. |
| Born | December 8, 1925, Harlem, New York |
| Died | May 16, 1990, Beverly Hills, California |
| Cause of Death | Throat cancer |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Spouses | Loray White (1958–1959), May Britt (1960–1968), Altovise Gore (1970–1990) |
| Children | 3 (Tracey, Mark, Jeff) |
| Net Worth at Death | Estimated $7 million debt |
Why did JFK refuse Sammy Davis Jr.?
The snub traces back to November 1960, when Davis married Swedish actress May Britt. The wedding came just after John F. Kennedy narrowly won the presidency, and Kennedy’s political team feared backlash from Southern Democrats who still enforced segregation. Davis had been scheduled to perform at a White House event, but the invitation was quietly withdrawn.
According to Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia), the White House performance was canceled after Davis’s interracial marriage became public. In his autobiography Why Me?, Davis recalled: “I was hurt, but I understood politics.” The incident remained a sore point for years.
A man who had performed for troops and broken color barriers in Las Vegas was deemed too controversial for a White House spotlight—because of whom he married.
Did Jackie Kennedy know her husband was unfaithful?
While Jackie Kennedy was famously private about JFK’s infidelities, biographers note she was aware of his relationships. There is no direct evidence linking her knowledge to the Davis snub, but the episode highlights the political tightrope the Kennedys walked between civil rights progress and Southern support.
Why this matters: The JFK snub reveals how deeply racial politics infiltrated even the highest levels of entertainment in 1960s America. Davis, despite his fame, was not immune.
The implication: Even a superstar could not escape the social codes of the era.
What did Sammy Davis Jr. pass away from?
Davis died of throat cancer on May 16, 1990, at age 64. The New York Times (leading newspaper) reported that he had been ill for months. Years of heavy smoking and drinking were cited as contributing factors. He had stopped drinking in 1983 after hospitalization for liver and kidney dysfunction, according to a Virginia Tech archive of contemporary news.
Was Sammy Davis Jr. in debt when he died?
Yes. Despite earning an estimated $50 million over his career, Davis died deeply in debt. NPR (public radio news outlet) reported that his estate owed millions to the IRS. Estimates of the debt range from $5 million to $7 million.
Who paid for Sammy Davis’s funeral?
Frank Sinatra and other friends covered the funeral expenses. Davis’s widow, Altovise, was left with the financial burden of the estate—a situation that took years to resolve, as noted by Book Publicity Services (estate-focused blog).
Davis could fill a Vegas showroom night after night, yet the money slipped through his fingers—lavish gifts, a large entourage, and minimal financial oversight. The numbers don’t add up unless you factor in the pressure to appear as successful as he looked on stage.
The pattern: Talent without financial discipline leads to a precarious legacy.
Did Sammy Davis Jr. like Frank Sinatra?
Their relationship was deep, if complicated. Sinatra called Davis his “brother” and stood by him when other casinos refused to book Davis because of his race. In return, Davis was fiercely loyal. According to NPR (public radio news outlet), Sinatra once declared Davis “the greatest entertainer in the world” at a charity event.
But the friendship had a power imbalance. Sinatra was the undisputed leader of the Rat Pack, and Davis—despite his own star power—often played the sidekick role.
Who did Frank Sinatra say was the love of his life?
Sinatra famously said Ava Gardner was the love of his life—not Davis. The remark underscores that Sinatra’s deepest bond was romantic, not platonic, even as he valued Davis as a friend and collaborator.
Who was the richest member of the Rat Pack?
Frank Sinatra was the wealthiest. While Davis earned millions, Sinatra’s record label, film production, and real estate made him far richer. By the 1960s, Sinatra’s net worth was many times that of any other Pack member. Davis, by contrast, was earning large sums but spending even larger ones.
What this means: The Rat Pack’s financial hierarchy mirrored the social one.
Was Sammy Davis, Jr. a nice guy in real life?
Contemporaries described him as generous, hardworking, but also insecure and prone to overspending. He was known for extravagant gifts—once buying Sinatra a gold cigarette case—and for a relentless pursuit of approval. In his autobiography, Davis admitted he often felt like an outsider even within the Rat Pack.
According to The New York Times (leading newspaper), he was “a dynamic performer who overcame extraordinary obstacles.” But offstage, the pressure took a toll.
His need to please everyone left little for himself—or for those closest to him.
What was the story behind Sammy Davis Jr.’s glass eye?
Davis lost his left eye in a car accident on November 19, 1954, near San Bernardino, California. He wore a glass eye for the rest of his life. The accident did not slow his career—he returned to the stage within weeks.
What was Sammy Davis Jr.’s religion?
Davis converted to Judaism in 1960 after studying with a rabbi. He said the faith’s emphasis on social justice resonated with his own experiences. He also incorporated elements of his Christian upbringing. The conversion was widely covered and added another layer to his complex identity.
The pattern: Davis’s identity was a mosaic of influences, never fully settled.
What did Sammy Davis Jr. do to his wife on their wedding night?
On his wedding night with May Britt in 1960, Davis reportedly surprised her by inviting Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other friends to the reception—turning a private celebration into an all-night Rat Pack party. The anecdote, recounted in biographies, illustrates how Davis could never fully separate his public persona from his private life.
Sinatra and Martin were already in town for a Vegas show, and Davis saw the wedding as an extension of the stage.
Davis’s wedding night story is charming—but it also hints at the cost: his private moments were rarely private. The same charisma that filled casinos also filled his living room, leaving little space for his spouses to breathe.
The implication: For Davis, the line between performance and reality was always blurred.
How many times was Sammy Davis Jr. married?
Three times: Loray White (1958–1959, annulled), May Britt (1960–1968), and Altovise Davis (1970–1990).
How many children did Sammy Davis Jr. have?
Three: one biological daughter with May Britt (Tracey, born 1961) and two adopted sons with Altovise (Mark and Jeff).
Timeline
Born in Harlem, New York. (Britannica)
Lost left eye in a car accident; begins wearing a glass eye. (Britannica)
Marries May Britt; JFK cancels White House performance. (Britannica)
Core Rat Pack member; converts to Judaism. (Wikipedia)
Marries Altovise Gore. (Britannica)
Dies of throat cancer; funeral expenses covered by Frank Sinatra and friends. (NYT)
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: throat cancer (The New York Times)
- JFK refused performance because of marriage to May Britt (Britannica)
- Davis had significant debt at death (NPR)
- He lost his eye in a car crash (Britannica)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figures (debt estimates vary from $5M to $7M)
- Whether Davis genuinely felt resentment toward JFK or reconciled later
- Details of his private feelings about Sinatra’s primacy in the Rat Pack
- Who exactly paid for his funeral and the full extent of financial assistance from friends
Quotes from those who knew him best
“He was the greatest entertainer in the world.”
— Frank Sinatra, at a charity event, as cited by NPR
“I was hurt, but I understood politics.”
— Sammy Davis Jr., reflecting on the JFK snub in his autobiography Why Me?, as reported by Britannica
“He spent money like it was going out of style. He never said no to anyone.”
— Altovise Davis, on her husband’s spending habits, as quoted in NPR’s 2008 feature
“Sammy was a pioneer. He opened doors that had been bolted shut.”
Summary
Sammy Davis Jr. died 34 years ago, but his story still resonates because it’s not just about one man—it’s about the price of fame, the politics of race, and the fragility of fortune. For readers today, the lesson is clear: talent alone does not protect you from financial ruin or political rejection. The only safeguard is the one Davis never had: a person who says no.
johnisaacjones.com, edwardjboyer.com, remindmagazine.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, investorium.org
Sammy Davis Jr.’s close friendship with Frank Sinatra is explored in depth in an article about Frank Sinatras life and legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Sammy Davis Jr. born?
Harlem, New York City, on December 8, 1925.
How did Sammy Davis Jr. lose his eye?
In a car accident near San Bernardino, California, in November 1954. He wore a glass eye afterward.
What was Sammy Davis Jr.’s biggest hit?
His signature song was “The Candy Man,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.
Did Sammy Davis Jr. serve in the military?
Yes, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he faced racial discrimination but also honed his performance skills.
Was Sammy Davis Jr. a member of the Rat Pack from the beginning?
He joined the original group—which included Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop—in the late 1950s and became a defining member.
How old was Sammy Davis Jr. when he died?
64 years old.
What religion did Sammy Davis Jr. convert to?
Judaism, in 1960. He studied with a rabbi and described the faith as aligning with his views on social justice.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.