Samuel George Davis Jr

Introduce

Samuel George Davis Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was a multi-talented American singer, actor, comedian, and dancer.

At the tender age of two, Davis embarked on his showbiz journey in Vaudeville alongside his father Sammy Davis Sr. and the Will Mastin Trio, touring extensively. His silver screen debut came in 1933. After serving in the military, Davis rejoined the trio and skyrocketed to fame with a sensational nightclub performance at Ciro’s (in West Hollywood) following the 1951 Academy Awards. Alongside the trio, he ventured into the world of recording. However, tragedy struck in 1954 when, at the age of 29, he lost his left eye in a car accident.

In subsequent years, Davis underwent a profound transformation, converting to Judaism, drawn to the shared history of oppression experienced by both black Americans and Jewish communities. His personal life was not devoid of controversy; in 1958, he faced significant backlash for his interracial relationship at a time when such unions were taboo in the U.S., a stance that persisted until interracial marriage was legalized nationwide in 1967.