Net Worth Ranker
What Is Sammy Davis Jr.’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in May 1990, Sammy Davis Jr., the multifaceted American entertainer known as “Mr. Show Business,” had a net worth estimated at $5 million. While this figure represents a substantial sum, it’s important to note that his financial situation was complicated by multiple marriages, children, and significant debt. Despite earning considerable income throughout his career, which spanned singing, dancing, acting, and musicianship, Davis faced substantial financial challenges.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Samuel George Davis Jr. on December 8, 1925, in Harlem, New York City, Sammy’s upbringing was deeply rooted in the world of vaudeville. His parents, Sammy Davis Sr. and Elvera Sanchez, were both dancers. Following their separation when Sammy was three, his father took custody and, along with Will Mastin (Sammy’s godfather), taught him how to dance. The trio performed as the Will Mastin Trio, which marked the official beginning of Sammy’s career. At the age of seven, Davis secured a lead role in the 1933 film “Rufus Jones for President”.
During World War II, at 18, Sammy was drafted into the military, and he served in the Army. Davis was reassigned to the Special Services branch. By the time he was discharged in 1945, Sammy had achieved the rank of private and had been awarded a World War II Victory Medal and an American Campaign Medal.
In 1949, Davis recorded blues songs under the names Charlie Green and Shorty Muggins for Capitol Records, and when the Will Mastin Trio opened for Janis Paige at Ciro’s in 1951, he soon began to find success on his own. In 1955, he released his debut studio album, “Starring Sammy Davis Jr.,” and the following year, he starred in “Mr. Wonderful” on Broadway.
Peak Earnings and Career Highlights
Sammy Davis Jr.’s career reached significant heights during the mid-20th century. Joining the Rat Pack in 1959, led by Frank Sinatra alongside Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, was a turning point. The group’s performances in Las Vegas were legendary, and their collaborative film projects, including “Ocean’s 11” (1960), “Sergeants 3” (1962), and “Robin and the 7 Hoods” (1964), collectively grossed tens of millions of dollars. While specific salary details for these films are not publicly available, it’s known that the Rat Pack members commanded substantial fees for their appearances, contributing significantly to Davis’s income during this period.
In 1964, Davis starred on Broadway in “Golden Boy”. In 1969, his song “I’ve Gotta Be Me” topped the Easy Listening singles chart, and he released the hit single “The Candy Man” in 1972.
Beyond his work with the Rat Pack, Davis maintained a robust solo career. His hit single, “The Candy Man,” released in 1972, reached the top of the Billboard charts. In the 1970s, Sammy guest-starred on several TV shows, including “All in the Family” (1972) and “Charlie’s Angels” (1977), and his performance as Chip Warren on “One Life to Live” (1979) earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination.
Financial Challenges and Debt
Despite his successful career, Sammy Davis Jr. faced significant financial difficulties, primarily due to his spending habits, multiple divorces, and substantial tax debt. By the time of his death in 1990, Davis owed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $7 million, which is equivalent to approximately $13 million when adjusted for inflation to today’s value. This debt comprised $5.2 million in unpaid taxes, along with accrued interest and penalties. The IRS pursued his estate to recover the outstanding amount, leading to prolonged legal battles and the auctioning off of many of Davis’s assets. His estate was valued at an estimated $4 million at the time of his death.
Marriages and Personal Life
Davis’s personal life was complex and had a direct impact on his financial situation. His first marriage to Loray White in 1958, though brief, involved a reported payment of $25,000 to White. His subsequent marriage to Swedish actress May Britt in 1960 resulted in the adoption of two sons, Mark (born 1960) and Jeff (born 1963), and the birth of a daughter, Tracey (born 1961). The divorce from Britt in 1968 led to significant financial settlements and legal fees, further straining Davis’s resources. His final marriage to Altovise Gore in 1970 also contributed to his financial obligations. They adopted son Manny (born 1978) in 1989.
In November 1954, Sammy lost his left eye in a car accident in San Bernardino, California. Though Davis was raised by a Baptist father, he converted to Judaism in 1961. Sammy was a Democrat, but he became friends with Richard Nixon and endorsed him at the Republican National Convention in 1972. During the Vietnam War, he traveled to Vietnam to entertain the troops, and as a member of Nixon’s Special Action Office For Drug Abuse Prevention, Davis also observed the military’s drug rehabilitation programs.
In 1973, Sammy and Altovise became the first African-Americans invited to sleep in the White House. Davis was involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, taking part in the March on Washington in 1963 and helping to integrate nightclubs in Miami Beach and Las Vegas due to his refusal to perform at racially segregated venues.
Estate and Posthumous Events
Following Sammy Davis Jr.’s death from throat cancer in May 1990, his estate, estimated at $4 million, was primarily left to his widow, Altovise Gore. However, the overwhelming debt to the IRS led to the auction of many of his possessions, including real estate and personal belongings. Altovise reached a settlement with the IRS in 1997. After her death in 2009, their son Manny became the estate’s executor and the majority-rights holder of his father’s creative works, navigating the ongoing management and preservation of Sammy Davis Jr.’s legacy.
Real Estate Holdings
In the 1970s, Sammy Davis Jr. acquired a 1.25-acre property in Beverly Hills, featuring an 11,000 square-foot home and a guest house. This residence served as his primary home until his death. Shortly after his passing, the property was listed for sale at $4.25 million. While specific details regarding the sale price and subsequent owners are not available in the provided text, the listing price offers insight into the value of his real estate assets at the time.
Awards, Honors, and Legacy
Sammy Davis Jr.’s contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized through numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2001, he received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and his iconic song “What Kind of Fool Am I?” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. Davis also earned nominations for Male Solo Vocal Performance and Record of the Year for “What Kind of Fool Am I?” in 1962 and Pop Male Vocalist for “Candy Man” in 1972. “Sammy Davis Jr.’s 60th Anniversary Celebration” won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy in 1990, and he received nominations for “The Swinging World of Sammy Davis Jr.,” “One Life to Live,” and “The Cosby Show.”
The American Guild of Variety Artists named Sammy Man of the Year in 1961, and he received the NAACP Spingarn Medal Award in 1968. He received a Special Citation Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1974 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Davis received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1987, and he was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame (1989), the Las Vegas Walk of Stars (2006), the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame (2008), and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2017). In 1981, Sammy received an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Atlanta University.
