A Pictorial Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. on His Centennial

It was 100 years ago that Sammy Davis Jr. was born in New York City. He was born into show business. His father was stage performer Sammy Davis Sr.  and his mother was tap dancer Elvera Sanchez. Sammy Davis Jr. was a little boy when he joined his father on stage. He would later become part of the Will Mastin Trio with his father and Will Mastin. 

Sammy Davis Jr. at age 9 as part of the Will Mastin Trio with his father and Will Mastin.

Chita Rivera and Sammy Davis Jr. The two of them appeared on Broadway in Mr. Wonderful in 1956. It got bad notices from critics, but proved to be a hit.

Sammy Davis Jr. and Dorothy Dandrige from Porgy and Bess (1959). Although the movie proved highly successful, it has not been seen for years. Samuel Goldwyn had only the rights for 15 years, after which it could only be shown with the permission of the estates of George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. The Gershwin estate has consistently denied permission for its exhibition.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a friend of Frank Sinatra and hence very much a part of the Rat Pack. Here he is in the movie Ocean's 11 (1960). Sammy Davis Jr. made other films beyond Ocean's 11 (1960) with his fellow Rat Pack members, including Sergeants 3 (1962) and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964).

Sammy Davis Jr. guest starred on several television shows through the years. He appeared on The Rifleman twice. Here he is in the episode "The Most Amazing Man."

Sammy Davis Jr. briefly had his own variety show, which aired on NBC from January 7, 1966, to April 15, 1966. It was historic as one of the earliest shows to be hosted by an African American. 

Although Sammy Davis Jr.'s movie career in the Seventies wasn't what it was in the Sixties, he continued to appear on television. In 1973 he appeared in a TV movie, Poor Devil, that was an unsold pilot. Here he is with Jack Klugman.

Sammy Davis's last appearance was in the 1990 TV movie The Kid Who Loved Christmas. It aired on December 19, 1990, in syndication, around seven months after Sammy Davis Jr.'s death on May 16, 1990 from throat cancer. He left behind a considerable legacy. As a singer he had multiple hit records, including "HeyThere," "What Kind of Fool Am I," "I've Gotta Be Me," and "The Candy Man." His appearances in both film and television would pave the way for other black performers. His fame continues to this day.