Sammy Davis, Jr.: Ive Gotta Be Me | Sammy Davis, Jr. Biographical Timeline | American Masters

1925, December 8Sammy Davis, Jr. is born at Harlem Hospital in New York City to Elvera and Sammy Davis, Sr.1928/1929He is sent to live with his father, a traveling entertainer and dancer. He never receives a formal education.1933Sammy Davis, Jr. appears in the short film Rufus Jones for President at age seven.1943He is drafted to the Army during World War II, eventually serving in an integrated entertainment Special Services unit.1947The Will Mastin Trio (Will Mastin, Sammy Davis, Sr., and Sammy Davis, Jr.) opens for Frank Sinatra at the Capitol Theatre in New York City.1951, MarchThe Will Mastin Trio opens for Janis Paige at Ciro’s; Sammy Davis, Jr. gives a knock-out performance and is embraced by the Hollywood elite.1952The Will Mastin Trio performs at the newly integrated Copacabana Club in New York City.1953, SpringThe Will Mastin Trio performs on The Colgate Comedy Hour and Eddie Cantor wipes Sammy Davis, Jr.’s brow.1954He signs a record contract with Decca Records.1954, November 19Sammy Davis, Jr. is in a car accident in San Bernardino, CA, and loses his left eye.1955, JanuaryHe releases his first album, “Starring Sammy Davis, Jr.”1955, AugustSammy Davis, Jr. releases his second album, “Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings Just For Lovers.”1956He makes his Broadway debut in Mr. Wonderful with Chita Rivera.1958Sammy Davis, Jr. marries Loray White in Los Angeles.1959He joins the Rat Pack.1959, FebruaryAnna Lucasta, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Eartha Kitt, is released.1959, June 24Porgy and Bess, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sidney Poitier, is released.1960, August 10Ocean’s Eleven, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and the Rat Pack, is released.1960, November 15Sammy Davis, Jr. marries May Britt in Los Angeles.1961He formally converts to Judaism.1961, JulyTracey Davis is born.1962, February 10Sergeants 3, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and the Rat Pack, is released.1963Sammy Davis, Jr. and May Britt adopt son Mark.1963, August 27March on Washington.1964, June 24Robin and the 7 Hoods, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and the Rat Pack, is released.1964, October 20First performance of Golden Boy (musical), starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Paula Wayne.1965He publishes his autobiography, Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr.1965Sammy Davis, Jr. and May Britt adopt son Jeff.1965, March 25He marches from Selma to Montgomery.1966A Man Called Adam, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. is released.1968Sammy Davis, Jr. and May Britt divorce.1968He receives the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.1969, April 1Sweet Charity, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Shirley MacLaine, is released.1970, May 11Sammy Davis, Jr. marries Altovise Gore at a courthouse in Philadelphia.1972, FebruarySammy Davis, Jr. guest stars on All In The Family.1972, FebruarySammy Davis, Jr. goes on a USO tour of Vietnam.1972, June“The Candy Man” hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.1972, JulySammy Davis, Jr. hugs President Nixon at a Youth Benefit during the Republican National Convention in Miami.1972, September 27At PUSH Benefit concert in Chicago. Sammy Davis, Jr. is booed for hugging President Nixon earlier that year.1973Sammy Davis, Jr. and Altovise spend the night at the White House in the Lincoln Bedroom.1978, August 3Stop the World I Want to Get Off opens in New York City, starring Sammy Davis, Jr.1980Sammy Davis, Jr. publishes Sammy Davis, Jr., Hollywood in a Suitcase.1981, June 19Cannon Ball Run is released, starring Sammy Davis, Jr.and Burt Reynolds.1988Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra go on tour.1989Sammy Davis, Jr. and Altovise adopt a son, Manny, who was 11-years-old at the time.1989Sammy Davis, Jr. publishes Why Me? The Sammy Davis, Jr. Story.1989, February 10Tap, a film starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Gregory Hines, is released.1989, AugustDoctors find cancer in Sammy Davis, Jr.’s throat.1990, February 4Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration television special airs.1990, May 16Sammy Davis, Jr. dies from throat cancer.

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