Picture this: Las Vegas in the late '80s, a place where dreams come alive under the neon lights. Sammy Davis Jr., the legendary performer, was in the middle of his act when he dropped a jaw-dropping impression of Michael Jackson. The crowd was going wild, clapping and cheering like they'd never seen anything like it. As Sammy's youngest son, Manny Davis, recalls exclusively to Closer, "He had everyone laughing and cheering. Then he did something unforgettable—he sang 'Bad.' But here's the kicker: Michael Jackson was there in person, watching it all unfold. It was one of those moments you never forget."
Sammy Davis Jr. was a force of nature in the entertainment world. He wasn't afraid to take risks, knowing full well that his immense talent and magnetic charm would always pull him through. As a father, Sammy wanted to pass on the lessons he'd learned over a lifetime in show business to his four children. "My dad taught me never to give up on my dreams," Manny says with a smile. "He always reminded me not to settle for anything less than what I truly deserve. Those words have stayed with me my entire life."
Sammy's career was nothing short of extraordinary. From recording hit songs to starring in blockbuster movies, from dazzling television appearances to electrifying live performances, Sammy could seemingly do it all. It's no wonder he earned the nickname "Mr. Show Business" in the '70s. By the time Sammy and his third wife, Altovise, adopted Manny, the legendary performer had slowed down enough to enjoy the simple joys of family life.
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Manny's experience growing up with Sammy was unique compared to his siblings. "Being the youngest, my childhood was different," Manny reflects. "My older siblings grew up during the civil rights era, a time of immense change and struggle. I, on the other hand, was a child of the '70s and '80s. By then, my dad had achieved so much. He and my mom took me everywhere with them, making sure I never missed out on the adventures life had to offer."
A RARE GIFT: SAMMY'S CHILDHOOD
Sammy wanted to give his youngest son the kind of childhood he never had. "He started working at the age of three," Manny explains, talking about the performer who began traveling the vaudeville circuit as a dancer alongside his father. While little Sammy learned to captivate audiences, his father shielded him from the harsh realities of racism in America. "On tour, Sammy only knew Black people—Black performers, Black audiences, Black hotels," explains Matt Birkbeck, author of Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money and Madness. "It wasn't until his teenage years, and later when he joined the Army during World War II, that Sammy truly experienced racism. It shocked him deeply and left an indelible mark on his life."
After being discharged from the Army, Sammy returned to the stage. In 1951, as part of the Will Mastin Trio, he became an overnight sensation at Ciro's, a glamorous West Hollywood nightclub, following the Academy Awards. The audience, filled with celebrities, was mesmerized by Sammy's hilarious impressions.
Over the next few decades, Sammy became a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, though it wasn't without its challenges. "He faced immense indignities," Birkbeck explains, pointing out that Sammy and his second wife, Swedish actress May Britt
