This member of the ‘Rat Pack’, which included legends Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, was often hailed as one of the world’s greatest entertainers. Although Sammy Davis, Jr. never attended school, he was an accomplished dancer, singer, musician, impressionist, comedian, and actor. As an African American who faced prejudice and discrimination, Sammy was also actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

Sammy Davis Jr. was born on December 8^th, 1925 in Manhattan, New York. The son of two entertainer parents, he travelled with his father after his parents’ divorce when Sammy Jr. was three. After learning how to dance from David Sr., father, son, and the troupe’s leader and close family friend Will Mastin formed the Will Mastin Trio. Following his service in the military, where he performed with an entertainment unit, Sammy Jr. returned to dancing and began to find his long hoped-for success. He appeared in the Broadway show Mr. Wonderful in 1956, began to keep company with the Rat Pack, led by Frank Sinatra, and even appeared in Japanese commercials for coffee. He also had a short-lived role in the Broadway musical Golden Boy, for which he earned a Tony Award nomination. In Davis, Jr’s telelvision career, he appeared on General Hospital, and had a regular role on One Life to Live, for which he received a Daytime Emmy nomination. Davis’s film career spanned as incredible five decades, and saw him performing in the films Robin and the 7 Hoods and Ocean’s Eleven, both featuring other members of the Rat Pack. His other starring roles in television and film are too numerous to name, but include Sammy Stops the World, the made-for-television adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Sweet Charity, Nightmare in the Sun, and his last The Kid Who Loved Christmas.  In total, Sammy Jr. starred or appeared in over 65 films. Davis effectively used his fame to create Civil Rights advancement for African Americans. By refusing to appear in locales which practiced racial segregation, blacks were allowed entry to some Las Vegas casinos. A small step perhaps, but nonetheless an important one. After a life-long career as an entertainer, Sammy’s four packs of cigarettes a day habit finally caught up to him. He died of throat cancer on May 16, 1990, at the age of 64, and was buried next to his original co-stars, his father and Will Mastin.

In his personal life, Davis had his share of difficulties. He lost his eye during a car accident in 1954. While in the hospital Sammy Jr. decided to convert to Judaism. His life saw him abusing alcohol and cocaine, keeping company with many women, and running into financial difficulties.

Davis’ first and very short-lived marriage was to Loray White in 1958. They divorced the following year. Sammy married again shortly after his divorce, this time to the Swedish actress May Britt in 1960. The union caused considerable controversy, because at the time, interracial marriages were banned in the United States. Despite public disapproval, the couple had a daughter and adopted two sons. They divorced in 1968 due to Davis’ hectic schedule and a confessed extra-marital affair with Lola Falana. The same year that he divorced, Sammy began dating Altovise Gore, a Broadway dancer who appeared alongside Sammy in Golden Boy. They were married by Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson in 1970 and stayed together until Davis Jr.’s death.