Sammy Davis Jr.
Samuel George Davis Jr. was an American singer, actor, comedian, dancer, and musician.
At age four, Davis began his career in vaudeville with his father Sammy Davis Sr. and the Will Mastin Trio, which toured nationally. His film career began in 1933. After military service, Davis returned to the trio and produced nightclub performances at Ciro's in 1951, including one after the Academy Awards ceremony. With the trio, he became a recording artist.
In 1954, at the age of 29, Davis lost his left eye in a car accident. Two years later Davis, who was Black, faced backlash for his involvement with a white actress, at a time when interracial relationships were taboo in the U.S. and when interracial marriage was not yet legalized nationwide. In 1960, Davis converted to Judaism, finding commonalities between the oppression experienced by both African Americans and Jewish Americans.
Davis had a starring role on Broadway in Mr. Wonderful with Chita Rivera. In 1960, he appeared in the Rat Pack film Ocean's 11. He returned to the stage in 1964 in Golden Boy, a musical adaptation of Clifford Odets's play of the same name. Davis was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance.
At age four, Davis began his career in vaudeville with his father Sammy Davis Sr. and the Will Mastin Trio, which toured nationally. His film career began in 1933. After military service, Davis returned to the trio and produced nightclub performances at Ciro's in 1951, including one after the Academy Awards ceremony. With the trio, he became a recording artist.
In 1954, at the age of 29, Davis lost his left eye in a car accident. Two years later Davis, who was Black, faced backlash for his involvement with a white actress, at a time when interracial relationships were taboo in the U.S. and when interracial marriage was not yet legalized nationwide. In 1960, Davis converted to Judaism, finding commonalities between the oppression experienced by both African Americans and Jewish Americans.
Davis had a starring role on Broadway in Mr. Wonderful with Chita Rivera. In 1960, he appeared in the Rat Pack film Ocean's 11. He returned to the stage in 1964 in Golden Boy, a musical adaptation of Clifford Odets's play of the same name. Davis was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance.
