Sammy Davis Jr Family Tree: The Story Behind Mr. Show Business

Samuel George Davis Jr. (1925–1990), born 8 December 1925 in Harlem, NYC, USA, and died 16 May 1990 in Beverly Hills, was the most-versatile entertainer of his era — singer, dancer, actor, impressionist, musician; Rat Pack; Yes I Can autobiography; iconic songs "The Candy Man" (1972 — his only #1); Kennedy Center Honors (1987), Emmy Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement (2001, posthumous).

The Family's Roots: An African-American / Cuban-American Family

Father was African-American vaudevillian; mother was Cuban-American.

His Parents

Father: Samuel George Davis Sr. (1900–1988) — African-American vaudeville dancer.

Mother: Elvera Sanchez (1905–2000) — Cuban-American tap dancer.

His Sister

Ramona Davis — half-sister.

His 3 Wives

Loray White (m. 10 January 1958, div. 29 April 1959).

May Britt (m. 13 November 1960, div. 20 December 1968) — Swedish actress; interracial marriage caused huge controversy.

Altovise Gore (m. 11 May 1970, until his death 1990) — dancer.

His Children (with May Britt)

Tracey Davis Boyd (1961–2020) — daughter.

Mark Sidney Davis, b. 1963 — adopted son.

Jeff Davis, b. 1965 — adopted son.

His Adopted Son (with Altovise)

Manny Davis, b. 1989 — adopted.

The Davis Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Sammy Davis Sr. (1900–1988).

Mother: Elvera Sanchez (1905–2000).

Sister: Ramona Davis.

Wives: Loray White (1958-59); May Britt (1960-68); Altovise Gore (1970-death).

Children: Tracey (1961–2020); Mark (b. 1963, adopted); Jeff (b. 1965, adopted); Manny (b. 1989, adopted).

Sammy Davis Jr.:

  • Born 8 December 1925, Harlem
  • Vaudeville from age 3 (Will Mastin Trio with father and uncle)
  • WWII Army 1943-45 (Special Services)
  • Car accident 7 November 1954: lost his left eye
  • Converted to Judaism: 1961 (after Britt marriage caused controversy)
  • Rat Pack 1960s
  • The Candy Man (1972): his only #1
  • Kennedy Center Honors: 1987
  • Died: 16 May 1990, Beverly Hills — throat cancer at 64

What the Davis Family Story Teaches Us

An African-American vaudeville father. A Cuban-American mother. Three marriages — the second (May Britt) an interracial marriage that broke ground. Four children (1 biological, 3 adopted). A career that combined singing, dancing, acting, and impressions — with a lost eye and a Jewish conversion.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Sammy story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross vaudeville-from-age-3 to Kennedy Center Honors.

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