Sammy Davis Jr.'s Legacy: A Closer Look At His Children

Let’s take a moment to talk about the legendary Sammy Davis Jr., a man who truly broke barriers and became a household name in the early '50s. With a talent that couldn’t be ignored, he became a star in the entertainment world. Sammy, known for his role in Ocean’s Eleven, married the stunning Swedish actress May Britt in 1960, during a time when racial tensions were at an all-time high in the U.S. Their relationship was constantly under scrutiny, but despite the challenges, they decided to build a family together. Keep reading to get to know more about Sammy’s four children.

Remembering Sammy Davis Jr.'s Daughter, Tracey Davis

Sammy and May welcomed their only biological child, Tracey Davis, in 1961. Now, here’s the thing: growing up, Tracey had a complex relationship with her father. In 1996, she wrote the heartfelt book Sammy Davis Jr.: My Father, where she shared how they managed to rebuild their bond after years of her dad being consumed by his career. It’s a story about reconnecting and healing.

In a candid interview with the Los Angeles Times in June 2014, Tracey opened up about her father being "married to his work." But as she grew older, she realized it was time to mend their relationship. She once said, “Dad, I always loved you, but I didn’t like you that much.” His response? “Well, I didn’t like you that much either.” It was a moment that cleared the air between them.

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Unfortunately, in 1989, Sammy was diagnosed with throat cancer. By then, their bond had been repaired, and Tracey, pregnant with her first child with husband Guy Garner, visited her father often in Beverly Hills. Sammy passed away in 1990 at the age of 64. In 2020, Guy announced that Tracey had passed away at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of love and family.

Sammy’s First Adopted Son: Mark Davis

During his marriage to May, which lasted until 1968, Sammy became a dad to his first adopted son, Mark Davis, born in 1960. Now, here’s an interesting twist: in 2015, Mark revealed that he believed Sammy might actually be his biological father. This suspicion arose when Sammy reportedly said, “You are my son,” on his deathbed.

This story unfolded on an episode of Inside Edition in April 2015, where Tracey and Mark took DNA tests to confirm the truth. The results showed they weren’t biologically related, but that didn’t shake their bond. Mark and Tracey both expressed their love for each other, proving that family ties go beyond biology.