Sammy Davis Jr.: His Claim to Fame
The Perks and Downhill Moments of His Life. Was it all Good?
The Beginning of the Star
Born in Harlem, New York City December 8th, 1925, Sammy started out as Samuel George Davis Jr.. Sammy goes way back to the age of 3 when it comes to how he got started as an entertainer. It all began in vaudeville with his father and a man named Will Mastin as the "Will Mastin Trio", and toured across the country. The trio led him to become a recording artist later in life. Davis started his career on film in 1933. Do the math and that's at 8 years old. He was about 8 when he began acting.
Spreading His Talent
Sammy was adored far and wide for he had a knack for entertaining. He had a special talent.
Sammy at His Funniest
As well as a singer, dancer, and actor, Sammy was a comedian time to time. He was an all around performer!
Getting in Character.
Sammy can be found in many old time movies because of his acting skills. This helped his fame grow.
Davis's Highlights of Fame
As his career developed, he had songs that became hits like "Candy Man" and "I've Gotta Be Me". Sammy also won awards, Grammys and Emmys. He was nominated for Pop Male Vocalist in the Grammys because of the song "Candy Man" in 1972 and was a nominee or winner of many other awards. He won the NAACP, (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Image Award in 1989. This is when people nominate outstanding performers of color. Sammy got other honors that didn't really have to with the entertaining industry also. He was a lot to live up to for younger performers.
Things You Probably Didn't Know... And Just Things
Before getting real serious about his music, Sammy served time in the military.
Samuel lived in the time when there was still a lot of racism, and it was illegal in some states to have biracial marriages. Sammy, however, managed to marry his first wife, May Britt, who was a Swedish actress. But Sammy then married to women after that. Quite a catch. Sammy has 4 children total.
Sammy lost his eye due to a car accident in 1954. This is well known information, and still Sammy continued on strong with his career. He converted to the Jewish religion years later.
Samuel George Davis Jr. was good at his job, a big hit in the later 1900's, and his name is still in remembrance today.
Sammy Davis Jr The Candy Man with lyrics
Sing Along To Sammy's Song "Candy Man"! Just Click the Play Button Above!