Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr.

If you know more information about Sammy Davis Jr. help us to improve this page
Birthday: 
8 December 1925, Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name: 
Samuel George Davis
Height: 
165 cm
Sammy Davis Jr. was often billed as the "greatest living entertainer in the world".He was born in Harlem, Manhattan, the son of dancer Elvera Davis (née Sanchez) and vaudeville star Sammy Davis Sr.. His father was African-American and his mother was of Puerto Rican ancestry. Davis Jr. was known as someone who could do it all--sing, dance... Show more »
Sammy Davis Jr. was often billed as the "greatest living entertainer in the world".He was born in Harlem, Manhattan, the son of dancer Elvera Davis (née Sanchez) and vaudeville star Sammy Davis Sr.. His father was African-American and his mother was of Puerto Rican ancestry. Davis Jr. was known as someone who could do it all--sing, dance, play instruments, act, do stand-up--and he was known for his self-deprecating humor; he once heard someone complaining about discrimination, and he said, "You got it easy. I'm a short, ugly, one-eyed, black Jew. What do you think it's like for me?" (he had converted to Judaism).A short stint in the army opened his eyes to the evils of racism--a slight man, he was often beaten up by bigger white soldiers and given the dirtiest and most dangerous assignments by white officers simply because he was black--and he helped break down racial barriers in show business in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Las Vegas, where he often performed; when he started there in the early 1950s, he was not allowed to stay in the hotels he played in, as they refused to take blacks as customers. He also stirred up a large amount of controversy in the 1960s by openly dating, and ultimately marrying, blonde, blue-eyed, Swedish-born actress May Britt.He starred in the Broadway musical "Golden Boy" in the 1960s. Initially a success, internal tensions, production problems and bad reviews--many of them directed at Davis for playing a role originally written for a white man--resulted in its closing fairly quickly. His film and nightclub career were in full swing, however, and he became even more famous as one of the "Rat Pack", a group of free-wheeling entertainers that included Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.A chain smoker, Davis died from throat cancer at the age of 64. When he died, he was in debt. To pay for Davis' funeral, most of his memorabilia was sold off. Show less «

Sammy Davis Jr.'s FILMOGRAPHY

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter and Love

HD

Lucy and Desi

HD

This Is Joan Collins

HD

The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

HD

Dean Martin: King of Cool

HD

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

HD

Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over

HD

My Name Is Lopez

HD

Listening to Kenny G

HD

Out of Shadows

HD

What's My Name: Muhammad Ali - Season 1

EPS2

The Black Godfather

HD

Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool

HD

Jerry Lewis, clown rebelle

HD

Michael Jacksons Journey from Motown to Off the Wall

HD

What Happened, Miss Simone?

HD

Selma

HD

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown

HD

Sunset Strip

HD

Sing Your Song

HD

The Wrecking Crew

HD

Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project

HD

The Cosby Show - Season 8

EPS25

NEXT PAGE

Example Example Example
HD
Country:
Genre:

Sammy Davis Jr.'S roles

Morris Fenderbaum
Morris Fenderbaum
Will
Will