Sammy Davis Jr: Cause of Death, Life, and Legacy Explained

When you hear the name Sammy Davis Jr., you might picture the flashy ring-a-ding-ding of the Rat Pack era or the iconic “Candy Man” melody, but the man behind the rhinestone cufflinks was as complicated as he was charismatic—a showman who broke racial barriers while wrestling with personal demons and a mountain of debt. This piece unpacks the key facts of his life, his tragic death from throat cancer, and the financial chaos he left behind.

Born: December 8, 1925 ·
Died: May 16, 1990 ·
Cause of death: Throat cancer ·
Spouse: Altovise Davis (m. 1970) ·
Children: 3 ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in

Sammy Davis Jr.’s life spanned six decades of American entertainment. Here are the key facts at a glance.

What did Sammy Davis Jr. pass away from?

Sammy Davis Jr. died on May 16, 1990, at age 64, with throat cancer listed as the official cause of death, according to Britannica. The Oral Cancer Foundation adds that an inoperable tumor was discovered earlier that year and that he had undergone treatment for oral cancer. His death place was Beverly Hills, California, as noted by IMDb (film database).

What cancer did Sammy Davis Jr. have?

Multiple authoritative sources confirm it was throat cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation specifically notes it as oral/throat cancer. The disease advanced quickly after diagnosis in 1989.

How did his glass eye relate to his health?

His glass eye was the result of a car accident in 1954 that destroyed his left eye, not a health condition. He wore a prosthetic for the rest of his life. Britannica confirms the accident occurred during a cross-country drive.

The implication: Davis’s cause of death is well-documented, but the link between his oral cancer and lifestyle habits remains an area of public health interest.

What did Sammy Davis Jr. do to his wife on their wedding night?

One of the most bizarre stories surrounding Davis involves him giving his wife a glass eye as a wedding gift. The anecdote is widely repeated but its veracity is uncertain. It is not confirmed by any primary source in the research, and therefore belongs in the “unclear” category.

Who was Sammy Davis Jr. married to?

Davis was married three times. His first marriage was to dancer Loray White (1958–1959). Then to Swedish actress May Britt (1960–1968). Finally, he married dancer Altovise Davis in 1970, who remained his wife until his death. Sources: Britannica and Sammy Davis Jr Official.

How many children did Sammy Davis Jr. have?

Davis had three children: Mark (adopted with May Britt), Jeff (adopted with Altovise), and Tracey (biological daughter with Altovise). Britannica lists them.

What this means: His personal life was as unconventional as his stage persona. The glass eye tale, whether true or not, reflects how Davis turned his own disfigurement into a trademark.

Did Frank Sinatra get along with Sammy Davis Jr.?

The short answer: they were famously close. Davis was a core member of the Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Sammy Davis Jr Official confirms his role in the group. Britannica adds that they appeared together in films like Ocean’s Eleven and Sergeants 3.

What was the Rat Pack?

The Rat Pack was a group of entertainers led by Sinatra that included Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Davis. They performed together in Las Vegas and made films as a clique. The National Endowment for the Humanities describes the Pack as “an imperfect allegory of integrated America.” For Davis, membership meant both camaraderie and a platform to challenge racial norms.

What did Sinatra say when Davis died?

Sinatra issued a statement calling Davis “a great entertainer and a dear friend,” as reported in news archives. The exact words are not universally agreed upon, but the sentiment of deep loss is consistent across sources. According to NEH, Sinatra personally funded Davis’s medical care during his final illness.

The pattern: Their bond transcended show business. Sinatra’s support—both public and private—underscored a loyalty that few in Hollywood ever saw.

Was Sammy Davis Jr. in debt when he died?

Yes. Despite earning an estimated $50 million during his career, according to NPR (public radio), Davis died in a dire financial state. NPR also reports that he owed substantial back taxes to the IRS and his estate was insolvent.

What was Sammy Davis Jr.’s net worth?

At the time of his death, net worth was negative. The NPR report cites estimates that he left behind millions in unpaid taxes and debts.

Why did he owe taxes?

Lavish spending, failed investments, and a lack of financial oversight contributed. Davis was known for extravagant gifts and a retinue of assistants. The NPR investigation notes that he never fully recovered from the financial drain of his lifestyle.

The trade-off: Davis chose to live large while he could, but the cost was a legacy of red ink that his family had to unravel.

What did Frank Sinatra say when Sammy Davis Jr. died?

Beyond Sinatra’s private words, the entertainment world mourned publicly. The Ed Sullivan Show archive notes that Davis had received an Emmy, two NAACP awards, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Posthumously, he was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, confirming his enduring impact. NEH highlights how Davis broke racial barriers, being one of the first African American stars to achieve mainstream popularity despite facing virulent prejudice.

How did the entertainment world react?

Stars from all corners paid tribute. The Sammy Davis Jr Official site states he was a “bestselling author” and “television and film actor, comic, and impressionist.” His funeral was a major media event, attended by Sinatra, Martin, and many others.

The implication: The public mourning was as much about the barriers he broke as the talent he displayed. His death closed a chapter of integrated entertainment that he helped write.

Was Sammy Davis Jr. a nice guy in real life?

Accounts are mixed. He was known for his generosity—often buying cars for friends and supporting charities—but also for a demanding personality. The NEH profile discusses the complexity of his character: a man who craved acceptance and sometimes lashed out under the pressure of constant racism.

What were his personal struggles?

Racism was a constant battle. Britannica notes that he “encountered virulent racial prejudice early in his career.” He was denied entry to a Kennedy entertainment roundtable because of backlash over his marriage to May Britt, per NEH. Those experiences shaped his sometimes volatile relationships.

How did he treat his family and friends?

Those close to him describe a loyal but demanding friend. He supported his father and uncle throughout his career. Yet his marriages were strained by his workaholism and infidelity. The Ed Sullivan Show archive emphasizes his family vaudeville act, the Mastin Troupe, highlighting that family was central to his identity.

What was his relationship with Kim Novak?

In the late 1950s, Davis had a highly publicized romance with actress Kim Novak. The relationship sparked controversy due to racial tensions; Columbia Pictures allegedly threatened Davis to end it. Britannica mentions this as a key episode that exposed Hollywood’s deep racism. The couple broke up under pressure.

The catch: Davis was both a trailblazer for integration and a human with all the flaws that fame can amplify. The same determination that made him a star also made him difficult.

Quotes from Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra

“I’m the greatest entertainer in the world.”

— Sammy Davis Jr., as recorded on Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

“I’ve lost a brother.”

— Frank Sinatra, as reported by news archives (cited in NEH profile)

These two men, bound by talent and loyalty, left us a legacy of showmanship and friendship. But the financial reality behind the glitter is where the real lesson lies.

For modern entertainers, the Davis story is a warning: without careful financial management, even the brightest star can fade into debt. For fans, it’s a reminder that the man behind the rhinestones was human—flawed, generous, and sometimes lonely. The choice for his heirs was clear: preserve the artistic legacy and settle the debts, or let the story be swallowed by the numbers. In the end, the music won.

Sammy Davis Jr.’s later years were overshadowed by mounting debt, a subject examined in his mounting debt.

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