Sammy Davis Jr.: Death of the Entertainer

02/15/19 • 50 min

4 Listeners

From the age of three Sammy Davis, Jr. did it all better than anyone else - singing, dancing, acting, even gun spinning. Mo talks to friends and family about what drove him to keep performing, even after the car crash that nearly killed him. Featuring Carol Burnett, Chita Rivera, Kim Novak, Dionne Warwick and more.Learn more about the Mobituaries book: http://bit.ly/MobituariesBook
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Mobituaries with Mo Rocca - Sammy Davis Jr.: Death of the Entertainer

Transcript Summary

In the podcast episode titled "Sammy Davis Jr.: Death of the Entertainer," the focus is on the life and career of Sammy Davis Jr., often considered the greatest entertainer of the 20th century. From overcoming a car accident that caused him to lose his left eye to his struggles with drugs and alcohol, Sammy's journey as a performer is explored. Despite his talents in singing, dancing, and impressions, he faced racism and controversy throughout his life, such as his scandalous relationship with a white actress and his embrace of President Richard Nixon. However, Sammy always used humor to cope with the tension and racism he experienced. Through his performances and unique charm, Sammy left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, even as he felt he had lost sight of what truly mattered in pursuit of stardom. This episode offers an intriguing and insightful look into the life of a legendary entertainer.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:03.879

This episode is about a man who has been called the greatest entertainer of the twentieth century. Jeez, look at that. So naturally I wanted to talk to a car expert. Yeah, that's a gorgeous vehicle, beautifully restore. I'm with my friend Matt Anderson, he's the curator of transportation at the Henry Ford Museum, and we're in a suburb of Detroit looking at a stunning, shiny red nineteen fifty three Cadillac El Dorado with the car's owner, Neil Po

Sammy Davis Jr.: Death of the Entertainer Top Questions Answered

Did Sammy Davis Jr. have a glass eye?

No, Sandy Duncan, a performer who worked with Sammy Davis Jr., denied the rumor that she had a glass eye.

How did Sammy Davis Jr. cope with losing vision in one eye?

Despite losing vision in one eye due to a brain tumor, Sammy Davis Jr. developed a discipline that nothing stops him from performing.

What was Sammy Davis Jr.'s relationship with his audience like?

Sammy Davis Jr. had a close relationship with his audience and considered it deeply personal.

How was applause important to Sammy Davis Jr.?

Applause was described by Dionne Warwick as nourishment for Sammy Davis Jr.

What was Sammy Davis Jr.'s financial history like?

Sammy Davis Jr. had a history of being bad with money, often giving extravagant gifts to others. He owed more money to the IRS than any single individual in history at the time of his death.

What was special about Sammy Davis Jr.'s performances?

Sammy Davis Jr. loved performing and had a passion for turning even seemingly unconventional songs into hits. He was known for his enthusiasm and lack of irony as a performer.

What was a memorable appearance of Sammy Davis Jr. on The Carol Burnett Show?

Sammy Davis Jr. had a memorable appearance on The Carol Burnett Show where he played an entertainer dealing with underlying prejudice.

Did Sammy Davis Jr. have a close relationship with anyone from his childhood?

Sammy Davis Jr. cherished his childhood memories and had a close relationship with a maid who worked for his family.

What were some of Sammy Davis Jr.'s talents?

Sammy Davis Jr. had the ability to imitate and perform impressions of famous actors and musicians. He was also a talented singer who could make songs his own.

How did Sammy Davis Jr. deal with his complex identity?

Sammy Davis Jr. had a complex identity as an African American man who converted to Judaism and had Puerto Rican heritage. He used humor to diffuse tension and maintain his unique identity.

How did Sammy Davis Jr.'s career impact the entertainment industry?

Sammy Davis Jr., regarded as the greatest entertainer of the twentieth century, was known for breaking barriers and aspiring to be remembered as more than just a singer or comedian.

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