Sammy Davis, Jr.

Sammy Davis, Jr. – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the compelling life story, career achievements, and timeless wisdom of Sammy Davis, Jr. — one of America’s greatest entertainers. Dive into his early struggles, rise to stardom, conversion to Judaism, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Sammy Davis, Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was a multi-talented American entertainer: singer, dancer, actor, comedian, impressionist, and more. Over more than five decades, he defied racial barriers, personal tragedy, and industry limitations to become an icon of show business. His journey—from a child vaudeville performer to a member of the Rat Pack and a solo superstar—resonates as a story of perseverance, reinvention, and artistic fearlessness. Today, his life offers rich lessons about talent, identity, resilience, and the power of self-expression.

Early Life and Family

Samuel George Davis, Jr. was born on December 8, 1925, in Harlem, New York City, to two vaudeville performers: his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his mother, Elvera (née Sanchez).

There is some ambiguity about his mother’s precise heritage. Davis himself claimed she was Puerto Rican, while other research suggests she was of Cuban descent with Afro-Cuban roots.

His parents separated when he was very young. Afterward, his father—and his godfather and stage partner, Will Mastin—assumed responsibility for raising him. From an early age, Davis was immersed in performance culture, learning dance, song, stagecraft, and showmanship.

Because his parents performed, Davis spent much of his childhood traveling on the vaudeville circuit. He grew up with the discipline and exposure that most children don’t experience—and the challenges that come with being constantly on the road.

Youth and Education

Formal schooling played little role in Davis’s upbringing. Instead, his education was the stage, the rehearsal hall, and the road. He absorbed performance instincts by watching other artists, mimicking their mannerisms, and developing his own creative instincts.

By age three, he was already participating in performances with the Will Mastin Trio. His earliest credited film appearance came in 1933 in Rufus Jones for President, in which he sang and danced with Ethel Waters.

His childhood was not sheltered from racism. During his time in the U.S. Army in World War II, he endured severe discrimination from fellow soldiers, was physically assaulted, and had his nose broken multiple times.

His recollections show that those early experiences sharpened his awareness of social hierarchies, prejudice, and the contradictions of being an entertainer in a segregated society.

Career and Achievements

Rise to Stardom (1940s–1950s)

After his military service ended in 1945, Davis rejoined the Will Mastin Trio and resumed performing in clubs and theaters across the country.

In March 1951, the Trio’s performance at Ciro’s in West Hollywood became a turning point: what was supposed to be a short opening act extended for nearly an hour due to enthusiastic crowd response. This marked a breakthrough moment.

Davis began to be noticed for his solo abilities: his impressions, dance, vocal range, and stage charisma. He released albums and singles, appearing in television and nightclubs.

In 1954, a near-fatal car accident cost Davis his left eye. The blunt horn button of the vehicle caused severe injury, and he lost the eye. He wore an eye patch afterward and integrated this into his public persona.

Despite this hardship, Davis pressed on: he adapted, refined his craft, and continued to expand his presence on stage, television, and in recordings.

The 1960s and Rat Pack Era

In the 1960s, Davis became integrally associated with the Rat Pack—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and others. He appeared in Ocean’s 11 (1960) and several other films with his Rat Pack associates.

On Broadway, he starred in Mr. Wonderful (1956) and Golden Boy (1964). His Golden Boy performance earned him a Tony Award nomination and included what was considered one of the first interracial kisses on Broadway.

He also broke many racial barriers. For example, he was one of the first African Americans to sing at major venues like the Copacabana in New York.

Yet the period was not without tensions—especially over segregation in Las Vegas, where black performers were not allowed to stay in the same hotels they performed in, eat at the same restaurants, or use the same facilities. Davis strongly objected to such policies and refused work under discriminatory conditions.

Later Years: Hits, Television, and Reinvention

In 1966, Davis launched The Sammy Davis Jr. Show, his own variety television show.

Although his musical popularity waned somewhat in the late 1960s, Davis still scored a major hit in 1972 with “The Candy Man,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

He also signed with Motown in a move to modernize his sound and appeal to younger audiences.

In the late 1980s, Davis reunited with Sinatra and Martin for a series of tours (with Liza Minnelli replacing Martin) under the name “The Ultimate Event.”

However, around 1989 he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Despite treatment efforts, his health declined, and his larynx was removed in a later operation. He passed away on May 16, 1990, from complications of throat cancer, at age 64.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Racial barriers: Davis’s career unfolded during a time of deep segregation in America. He often confronted racism directly—refusing to perform under discriminatory conditions or accept second-class treatment.

• Civil rights & politics: Davis supported civil rights causes and various political figures. He campaigned for John F. Kennedy in 1960, and later endorsed Richard Nixon (though he later expressed regret over that decision).

• Interracial relationships controversy: His relationship with white actress Kim Novak in the 1950s generated backlash; there are claims that studio chiefs and organized crime figures pressured him to end it.

• Conversion to Judaism: In the 1950s, Davis began to explore Judaism, deeply influenced by his awareness of racial oppression and his search for spiritual identity. He adopted Judaism formally and often spoke about the connection he felt between Black American and Jewish experiences of marginalization.

• Cultural integration in entertainment: As one of the first African American stars to cross over into mainstream show business, Davis helped reshape perceptions of race and talent in America. His very presence on film, television, and stage in full partnership with white colleagues challenged social norms.

Legacy and Influence

Sammy Davis Jr.’s influence extends far beyond his era. His legacy includes:

1. Breaking barriers in entertainment
   He paved the way for future generations of Black performers to enter mainstream venues and high-profile roles.

2. Versatility as an artist
   His ability to sing, dance, act, do impressions, and perform musicals made him a rare triple-threat—and beyond. Many modern performers cite his boundary-blurring style as inspirational.

3. Inspiring authenticity & reinvention
   He adapted through personal tragedies (e.g. losing an eye), industry changes, and evolving public tastes—without sacrificing his identity.

4. Recognition and honors

   • He was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP.

   • In 1987, he received the Kennedy Center Honors.

   • He was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

   • In 2001, the Recording Academy honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

5. Cultural portrayals and tributes

   • He has been the subject of musicals (e.g. Sammy: Once in a Lifetime).

   • He continues to be portrayed or referenced in film, television, and comedy routines.

His life story remains a compelling case of talent meeting tenacity—and of using art to push social boundaries.

Personality and Talents

Sammy Davis Jr. was known not just for his stage presence, but also for a complexity of character:

• Fearless & ambitious – He frequently challenged conventions (racial, artistic, personal) and was determined to excel in every medium.

• Humorous & self-aware – He used wit and self-deprecation to defuse tension and connect with audiences.

• Philosophical & introspective – In interviews and writings, he reflected on faith, identity, mistakes, and purpose.

• Workaholic & relentless – His drive to perform was near-constant; he saw his talent as both burden and privilege.

• Emotionally vulnerable – Behind the glitz, he wrestled with debt, addiction, personal relationships, and existential questions.

He once quipped, amid humor and honesty, about his own identity and struggles:

“Talk about handicap. I'm a one-eyed Negro who’s Jewish.”

That line, delivered with comedic timing, also underscored how he embraced his complexities.

Famous Quotes of Sammy Davis, Jr.

Here are several memorable quotes that capture Sammy Davis, Jr.’s wit, insight, and spirit:

• “You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear.”

• “Real success is not on the stage, but off the stage as a human being, and how you get along with your fellow man.”

• “I had more clothes than I had closets, more cars than garage space, but no money.”

• “The one thing you don't want is that stale sound when you've done a line so much you can't find a fresh approach to it. Drop it.”

• “I’m not sure if I believe in fate, but I do believe in faith.”

• “Reality is never as bad as a nightmare, as the mental tortures we inflict on ourselves.”

• “The only things I have never been able to master are the things that can’t be seen or heard — like love.”

• “The civil rights movement wasn’t easy for anybody.”

• “I’ve done some things I wish I could erase … I invented mistakes. But the mistakes must be seen in context, and they must be weighed along with the positives.”

These quotes reflect a man who understood both the glamour and the cost of a life on display, and who thought deeply about human experience, hope, and fallibility.

Lessons from Sammy Davis, Jr.

From Sammy Davis, Jr.’s life and words, we can draw several timeless lessons:

1. Embrace complexity.
   Davis’s identity—Black, Jewish, one-eyed, ambitious—defied simple categorization. He showed that embracing one’s contradictions can be a source of strength.

2. Let talent meet hard work.
   His artistry was not just natural—it was cultivated relentlessly and broadened across disciplines. Talent alone was never enough.

3. Persist through adversity.
   Instead of retreating after personal tragedy or public backlash, he adapted and forged ahead, remaining visible and vital.

4. Use fame responsibly.
   Davis leveraged his status to challenge segregation, support civil rights, and elevate conversations about race, identity, and art.

5. Speak your truth.
   Whether through quotes or performances, he used his voice to express vulnerability, humor, disappointment, and aspiration.

6. Balance art and humanity.
   Success on stage is hollow without integrity offstage. He frequently emphasized the importance of how one treats others.

Conclusion

Sammy Davis, Jr. was more than an entertainer—he was a cultural force. Through talent, daring, faith, and dogged perseverance, he pushed the boundaries of bias, self-image, and artistic possibility. His life reminds us that greatness is not just measured in applause, but in courage, compassion, and the unapologetic pursuit of one’s own voice.

Explore more of his performances, recordings, and writings to carry forward his legacy—and revisit his quotes whenever you need inspiration to face your own stage in life.