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Born: December 8, 1925 – Died: May 16, 1990
Hailed as the "greatest living entertainer in the world," Sammy Davis Jr. was a dynamo of talent and charisma. He entered the world in Harlem, the offspring of two performers: his mother, Elvera Sanchez, was a dancer, and his father, Sammy Davis Sr., lit up vaudeville stages. With lineage steeped in entertainment, Davis Jr. was destined to leave an indelible mark on the industry.
Early Life and Career
The lights of Harlem's stages shone early on Davis Jr. Raised amidst the rhythm and vigor of the city, his education took a backseat to the stage, with performance coursing through his veins from a young age. His breakthrough came with his first significant role in the 1950s, setting the stage for a career that would see him break barriers and redefine entertainment.
Davis Jr.'s star soared with his portrayal in the film "Porgy and Bess" (1959), securing his place in the entertainment pantheon. His charm and versatility earned him critical acclaim, but it was his role in "Golden Boy" that cemented his stardom, despite the production's challenges.
Awards were a testament to his talent, with multiple nominations and wins underlining his contributions. His personal life, as colorful as his career, included a marriage to Swedish actress May Britt, with whom he faced considerable controversy during an era of racial tensions.
Davis Jr. balanced his dazzling public persona with off-stage roles as a father and philanthropist. Despite facing adversities, including battles with debt and cancer, his legacy as a trailblazer in show business remains unquestionable. His influence as a member of the "Rat Pack" and his relentless advocacy for civil rights have etched his name into the annals of Hollywood history, making Sammy Davis Jr. an irreplaceable icon whose flair and courage continue to inspire.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Kid Who Loved Christmas (TV Movie) | Sideman |
| 1989 | Hunter (TV Series) | Benny Schafer |
| 1989 | Tap | Little Mo |
| 1989 | The Cosby Show (TV Series) | Ray Palomino |
| 1988 | Moon Over Parador | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1988 | A Whole Lotta Fun (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1986 | The Perils of P.K. | Unknown |
| 1985 | Alice in Wonderland (TV Mini Series) | The Caterpillar | Father William |
| 1985 | Gimme a Break! (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. | Albert |
| 1984 | Pryor's Place (TV Series) | Smooth Sam |
| 1984 | Cannonball Run II | Morris Fenderbaum |
| 1983–1984 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | Mr. Bojangles | Edward Ross, Sr. |
| 1984 | Broadway Danny Rose | Thanksgiving Parade's Grand Marshall (uncredited) |
| 1984 | The Jeffersons (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1983 | Cracking Up | Sammy Davis, Jr. |
| 1982 | Heidi's Song | Head Ratte (voice) |
| 1982 | General Hospital (TV Series) | Eddie Phillips |
| 1981 | The Cannonball Run | Fenderbaum |
| 1980 | Sanford (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1980 | Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series) | Sammy Davis, Jr. |
| 1979 | Sammy Stops the World | Littlechap |
| 1979 | One Life to Live (TV Series) | Chip Warren |
| 1977 | Charlie's Angels (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. | Herbert Brubaker III |
| 1975 | Love of Life (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1975 | Chico and the Man (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1974 | Gone with the West | Kid Dandy |
| 1973 | Old Faithful (TV Movie) | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1968–1973 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) | Guest Performer |
| 1973 | Poor Devil (TV Movie) | Sammy |
| 1972 | All in the Family (TV Series) | Sammy Davis, Jr. |
| 1972 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father (TV Series) | Rodney River Jr. |
| 1971 | The Trackers (TV Movie) | Ezekiel Smith |
| 1970 | Cucumber Castle (TV Movie) | English Tennis Star (scenes deleted) |
| 1970 | The Name of the Game (TV Series) | Billy Baker |
| 1969–1970 | Mod Squad (TV Series) | Willie Rush | Billy Lee Watson | Father John Banks |
| 1970 | Make Room for Granddaddy (TV Series) | Barney Shaker |
| 1970 | Here's Lucy (TV Series) | Sammy Davis, jr. |
| 1970 | One More Time | Charles Salt |
| 1969 | The Beverly Hillbillies (TV Series) | Sgt. Patrick Muldoon | Police Sargent |
| 1969 | The Pigeon (TV Movie) | Larry Miller |
| 1969 | Sweet Charity | Big Daddy |
| 1968 | Salt and Pepper | Charles Salt |
| 1967 | The Danny Thomas Hour (TV Series) | Chris Christiansen |
| 1967 | I Dream of Jeannie (TV Series) | Sammy Davis, Jr. |
| 1966 | The Wild Wild West (TV Series) | Jeremiah |
| 1966 | A Man Called Adam | Adam Johnson |
| 1966 | Alice in Wonderland or What's a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This? (TV Movie) | The Cheshire Cat (voice, as Sammy Davis) |
| 1965 | The 2nd Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World | Singer behind opening credits (uncredited) |
| 1965 | Nightmare in the Sun | Truck Driver |
| 1965 | The Patty Duke Show (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. (as Sammy Davis) |
| 1964 | The Disorderly Orderly | Title Song Singer (voice) |
| 1964 | Robin and the 7 Hoods | Will |
| 1963 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Cordwainer Bird |
| 1963 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Allie Burns |
| 1963 | Johnny Cool | Educated |
| 1963 | Three Penny Opera | Ballad Singer |
| 1963 | The Danny Thomas Show (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Rifleman (TV Series) | Wade Randall | Tip Corey |
| 1962 | Convicts 4 | Wino |
| 1962 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Kid Pepper |
| 1962 | Cain's Hundred (TV Series) | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1962 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Gabe Masters |
| 1962 | Sergeants 3 | Jonah Williams |
| 1962 | Hennesey (TV Series) | Frogman Cannonball Pipper |
| 1962 | Frontier Circus (TV Series) | Cato Richards |
| 1961 | Drama 61-67 (TV Series) | Beppo |
| 1961 | Lawman (TV Series) | Willie Shay |
| 1958–1961 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Pancho Villa III | Jacob Johnson | Private Spider Johnson |
| 1960 | Pepe | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| 1960 | Ocean's Eleven | Josh Howard |
| 1959 | Zane Grey Theatre (TV Series) | Cpl. Smith |
| 1959 | Porgy and Bess | Sportin' Life |
| 1958 | Anna Lucasta | Danny |
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas | Sammy Davis Jr. (voice, uncredited) |
| 1947 | Sweet and Low (Short) | Member - Will Maston Trio (as Will Maston Trio) |
| 1933 | Seasoned Greetings (Short) | Henry Johnson (as Sammy Davis) |
| 1933 | Rufus Jones for President (Short) | Rufus Jones (as Sammy Davis) |