Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a renowned American entertainer, born to Elvera Sanchez and Sammy Davis Sr., who was a dancer with Orlando Roberson's Hollywood Rhythm dance troupe. He began performing at a young age, touring with the Will Mastin trio, which included his father and Will Mastin. Davis Jr.'s early life was marked by his experiences with racism and his desire to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, inspired by Bill Robinson and Eddie Cantor. He attended Jockey Hollow School in New Jersey and later performed with the USO during World War II, entertaining troops alongside Bob Hope and Mickey Rooney.

Early Life and Career

Davis Jr.'s career began to take off in the 1940s, with performances at the Cotton Club in Harlem and the Apollo Theater in New York City. He was discovered by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who became close friends and Rat Pack members, along with Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Davis Jr. also performed with Count Basie and his orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and What's My Line? with John Charles Daly. His early life and career were influenced by his relationships with Milton Berle, Sidney Poitier, and Duke Ellington, who helped shape his unique style and talent.

Music and Film Career

Davis Jr.'s music and film career spanned over five decades, with notable performances in Porgy and Bess alongside Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge, and Ocean's 11 with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He also appeared in Sergeants 3 with Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford, and Salt and Pepper with Peter Lawford. Davis Jr.'s music career included hits like "What the World Needs Now Is Love", The Candy Man, and "I've Gotta Be Me", which were produced by Reprise Records and featured arrangements by Billy May and Nelson Riddle. He performed at the Hollywood Bowl and the Royal Variety Performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Personal Life

Davis Jr.'s personal life was marked by his conversion to Judaism in 1959, after being introduced to the faith by Eddie Cantor and Sammy Cahn. He was married to Loray White and later to May Britt, a Swedish actress, and finally to Altovise Gore. Davis Jr. was also known for his close friendships with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford, with whom he performed in numerous Rat Pack shows at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and appeared on Saturday Night Live with Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor.

Civil Rights Activism

Davis Jr. was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, performing at benefit concerts for the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and performed at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Davis Jr. also faced racism and discrimination throughout his career, including being banned from performing in certain venues and facing backlash for his interracial marriage to May Britt. He was supported by friends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who stood by him during difficult times.

Legacy

Davis Jr.'s legacy continues to be celebrated today, with numerous tributes and awards in his honor, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Davis Jr.'s impact on the entertainment industry can be seen in the work of artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Harry Connick Jr., who have all cited him as an influence. His life and career have been documented in numerous books and films, including "Sammy Davis Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me", a documentary directed by Sam Pollard and produced by American Masters. Category:American entertainers