SAMMY DAVIS JR. (ca. late 1950s-70s) Photo archive

Sammy Davis Jr. 1950s-70s. Archive of 35 variously-sized vintage original black-and-white (three are color) glossy photos, including one-of-a-kind snapshots. Most have paper blurbs, ink stamps and notations on verso. Overall near fine.

Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) was a legendary American entertainer — often dubbed “Mr. Entertainment” — celebrated for his unmatched talents as a singer, dancer, actor, comedian and multi-instrumentalist. He is famous for breaking racial barriers and his core membership in the iconic Rat Pack.

A trailblazer on television and Broadway, he starred in hit Broadway shows like Mr. Wonderful (1956) and Golden Boy (1964), for which he received a Tony nomination. He also broke cultural ground when featured in pioneering television specials and made TV history with a famous kiss on the cheek to Archie Bunker on the sitcom All in the Family.

Davis actively fought segregation in the entertainment industry. He frequently boycotted or refused to perform at hotels and nightclubs in cities like Las Vegas and Miami that allowed Black performers on stage but denied them entry through the front door or access to the venues’ amenities. He also participated in major civil rights marches and supported Martin Luther King Jr. personally and financially. Sammy married Swedish actress May Britt on November 13, 1960. Their union sparked massive media and racist backlash, as interracial marriage was illegal in 31 U.S. states at the time. Frank Sinatra served as the best man for the high-profile ceremony. The marriage lasted eight years. Their union is considered a landmark moment in the fight for civil rights and marriage equality.

Included in this selection of images from his adult life and career are: a photo with his mother in 1964; ten photos of Sammy with May Britt between their wedding in 1960 and 1966, including one with their children on the set of Robin and the Seven Hoods in 1963; eight photos in performance between the late-1950s and ca. 1970 including Sammy on his own TV show in 1966, on The Hollywood Palace, singing with Steve Lawrence and boxing with Wilt Chamberlin; an image from 1967 rehearsing with models which appears to be for a guest spot on the TV show I Dream of Jeannie; two images in social settings by Steve Magan; two smaller photos performing in Las Vegas in later years; and eleven small format candids stamped by Jere Hagman which show Sammy in live performance, possibly in Las Vegas, ca. early-1960s.