Home / Arts and Entertainment / May Britt, Sammy Davis Jr.'s Ex-Wife, Dies at 91
May Britt, Sammy Davis Jr.'s Ex-Wife, Dies at 91
19 Dec
Summary
- Actress May Britt, known for 'The Blue Angel,' has died at 91.
- Her marriage to Sammy Davis Jr. faced significant backlash in 1960.
- Britt lost her acting contract due to her engagement to Davis.
Swedish actress May Britt, celebrated for her role in the 1959 film 'The Blue Angel,' has died at the age of 91. Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed her passing on December 11 due to natural causes.
Britt began her Hollywood career in 1957 with 20th Century Fox, starring in films like 'The Hunters' and 'The Young Lion.' Her engagement in 1960 to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., a prominent figure in the Black community, ignited controversy. This union occurred when interracial marriage was prohibited in 31 U.S. states. The engagement led to Davis being disinvited from John F. Kennedy's inauguration, a move that prompted Dean Martin to withdraw as well. Britt's studio did not renew her contract following the news.
The couple endured intense scrutiny, including death threats that required 24-hour armed guards. They welcomed a daughter, Tracey, in July 1961, and later adopted sons Mark and Jeff. Though they divorced in 1968, their daughter affirmed her parents' enduring love for each other. Britt married two more times during her life.
