by André Depienne

Singer, dancer, actor: these were the professions that earned Sammy Davis Jr. the title of “World’s Greatest Living Entertainer”. No surprise, since he learned it all at a very young age. Following his parents’ separation, he grew up with his father, who taught him everything he needed to know about show business, showing him to sing and tap dance, when he was only a child.

In 1941, Sammy met Frank Sinatra, which turned out to be the start of a lifelong friendship. It was with Sinatra’s help that he got his first gig in Las Vegas, which quickly earned him nationwide popularity, although at that time racism was still common. In fact he only struggled with racism when he entered the US Army in 1943.

After his military service, he returned to show business, performing with acts like the “Will Mastin Trio”, that Frank Sinatra had hired as a support act for his shows at the Capitol Theater in the late 40's. During that time, he made his first recordings for “Capitol” records.

1955 he released his first album “Starring Sammy Davis Jr.” on DECCA. It immediately became a US top 20 hit. Him wearing an eye patch on the album cover, is due to a car accident he had on the 19th of November 1954, which led to him losing his left eye. At the beginning of 1955, he was able to perform live again.

In 1958, he resumed his film career with “Anna Lacusta”, and a year later, impressed in the film version of the Gershwin opera “Porgy & Bess”, in the role of “Sportin‘ Life”.

In the late 50’s, he became a member of the legendary “Rat Pack” which included stars like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and Shirley McLaine. They became popular with the many concerts they gave at the “Sands Hotel” in Las Vegas. The Rat Pack also made several films, such as “Ocean’s Eleven” (1960) and “Robin And The Seven Hoods” (1964).

During the 60’s and 70’s, Sammy performed in numerous Las Vegas shows. In 1969, he was a great success, playing “Big Daddy Brubeck” in the musical film version of “Sweet Charity” next to Shirley McLaine . One of the highlights of Samy’s long career was, when he reached the top of the US singles charts with the song “Candy Man” in 1972. The song earned him a Grammy nomination in the category “Best Pop Male Vocalist”. In 2001, he was honoured with a “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”.

From September 1988 to May 1989, he went on an eight month tour with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli. In 1989, he also made his last major film appearance, next to Gregory Hines in the hit movie “Tap Dance”.

That same year, Sammy Davis Jr. was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, undergoing chemotherapy that cost him his voice. In November 1989, at a gala celebrating his 60th stage anniversary in Los Angeles, visibly marked by his illness, he performed a short tap dance one last time .

Sammy Davis Jr. died from cancer on May 16th, 1999, at his home in Beverly Hills. He was buried next to his father at “Forrest Lane Memorial Park” in Glendale, California. Sammy married three times: from 1958 to 1959 he was married to Loray White. From 1960 to 1968, he was married to the Swedish actress May Britt, which caused some trouble with the Ku-Klux-Klan, because at that time, mixed marriages were forbidden in 21 US states. The couple had a daughter and two adopted sons. From 1970 until his death, he was married to actress and dancer Altovise Davis. The couple also had an adopted son.