Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr.was an American entertainer. Primarily a dancer and singer, he was also an actor of stage and screen, comedian, musician, and impressionist, noted for his impersonations of actors, musicians and other celebrities. At the age of three, Davis began his career in vaudeville with his father and Will Mastin as the Will Mastin Trio, which toured nationally. After military service, Davis returned to the trio. Davis became an overnight sensation following a nightclub performance at Ciro'safter...
ProfessionPop Singer
Date of Birth8 December 1925
CityNew York City, NY
I'd learned a lot in the Army. I knew that above all things in the world I had to become so big, so strong that people and their hatred could never touch me.
You don’t swing where you sleep.
I go to temple a lot less than I would like because when I do, people still look at me as if they think it's a publicity stunt.
I was so opposed to the war in Vietnam that I initially refused President Nixon's urgings for me to go there.
There are certain romances that belong in certain cities, in a certain atmosphere, in a certain time.
The only person I ever hurt was myself and even that I did to the minimum. If you can do that and you're still functioning, you're the luckiest person in the world.
I had traveled 10 states and played over 50 cities by the time I was 4.
The one thing you don't want is that stale sound when you've done a line so much you can't find a fresh approach to it. Drop it.
There's nothing that can match Broadway for stature and dignity.
All I really had was my talent. Without that I wouldn't be welcome at the White House.
When Liza Minelli was a child, she used to sit on my lap and call me Uncle Sammy.
I have a respect for Elvis and my friendship. It ain't my business what he did in private. The only thing I want to know is, 'Was he my friend?', 'Did I enjoy him as a performer?', 'Did he give the world of entertainment something?' - and the answer is YES on all accounts. The other jazz just don't matter.
Most orgies that you go to, I have found, most of it is sad. All that wildness, all those laughs were like the shining silver and gold paper on packages, but there was nothing inside.
I don't have many easy songs.