Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons/Hugo Van Gelderen/Anefo
Sammy Davis Jr. would have turned 100 this month, and tributes nationwide are honoring the legendary performer known as “Mister Show Business” — a nickname he earned for his rare ability to sing, dance, act and entertain across genres.
Born Dec. 8, 1925, Davis began performing at age 3 with the Will Mastin Trio, alongside his father. By his teens, he was captivating audiences with tap dancing, comedy and his iconic, uncanny impressions. His magnetic energy and effortless charm made him a favorite on stage and television, where his talent transcended racial and cultural boundaries.
A Black, Jewish, one-eyed entertainer in segregated America, Davis broke barriers, paving the way for generations to come. His career spanned seven decades across Broadway, film, television and music, earning him admiration from peers and fans around the world.
Davis starred in “Mr. Wonderful” and “Golden Boy” and was a key member of the Rat Pack, with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His signature songs — “The Candy Man,” “I’ve Gotta Be Me” and “Yes I Can” — became cultural anthems.
Tributes to the performer include “Once in a Lifetime: A Sammy Davis, Jr. Centennial Celebration” at New York’s 54 Below on Dec. 7.
Davis died from complications of throat cancer in 1990, at the age of 64, but his rhythm — and impact — still reverberate.