Sammy Davis, Sr.
Sammy Davis, Sr. is a Broadway performer. Explore their Broadway credits, shows, and songs below.
Part of our Broadway Credits Database, a resource for musical theater fans.
About
Samuel George Davis Sr. was born on December 12, 1900, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Rosa B. Taylor (1870–1956) and Robert Davis (1868–1948). He went on to become an American dancer and the father of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.
Davis took up dancing early in life and eventually joined Will Mastin, the leader of a vaudeville dance troupe. He and his former wife Elvera Sanchez were both dancers in that troupe before the couple separated when their son was three years old. Davis assumed custody of Sammy Jr. and brought him into show business, where both Davis and Mastin served as the boy's dance instructors. The three performers worked together under the name the Will Mastin Trio.
The Will Mastin Trio appeared in the 1956 Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful, marking Davis's Broadway credit. That same year, Davis appeared in the film The Benny Goodman Story, in which he portrayed bandleader and arranger Fletcher Henderson. He had previously appeared on screen in the 1947 film Sweet and Low alongside the Will Mastin Trio.
Davis died on May 21, 1988, in Beverly Hills, California, from natural causes at the age of 87, two years before the death of his son Sammy Davis Jr. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Personal Details
- Born
- December 12, 1900
- Hometown
- Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
- Died
- May 21, 1988
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Sammy Davis, Sr.?
- Sammy Davis, Sr. is a Broadway performer. Samuel George Davis Sr. was born on December 12, 1900, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Rosa B. Taylor (1870–1956) and Robert Davis (1868–1948). He went on to become an American dancer and the father of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. Davis took up dancing early in life and eventually joined Will Masti...
- What roles has Sammy Davis, Sr. played?
- Sammy Davis, Sr. has played roles as Performer, Musical Coordinator.
- Can I see Sammy Davis, Sr. at Sing with the Stars?
- Sing with the Stars hosts invite only karaoke nights with real Broadway performers in NYC. Request an invite and let us know you'd love to sing with Sammy Davis, Sr.. The more people who request someone, the more likely we are to make it happen.
Roles
Sing with Broadway Stars Like Sammy Davis, Sr.
At Sing with the Stars, fans sing alongside real Broadway performers at invite only musical evenings in NYC. Join 2,400+ happy guests and counting.
"The vibe was 10 out of 10" — Cindy from Manhattan
Request Your Invitation →