The Night Sammy Davis Jr. Snapped

The Night Sammy Davis Jr. Snapped


July 22, 2024 | Penelope Singh

The Night Sammy Davis Jr. Snapped


American writer James Baldwin believed that Sammy Davis Jr. had a simple choice in life: He had to decide between greatness and madness. Baldwin believed he chose greatness—but if you know anything about his life behind the scenes, it’s clear that more than a little madness leaked in too.

Davis loved women, and he spent his rise to the top having an unending string of one-night stands. Sometimes he went home with Ava Gardner, and sometimes it was simply a pretty girl who caught his eye, but in either case, "love" hadn't really been on the menu. That all changed one night in 1957 at Chicago's Chez Paree, when he met actress Kim Novak.

Davis and Novak embarked on a love affair—not knowing the danger that they were in. Torn apart by the prejudices of the time, they never saw a happy ending. In 1958, Chicago mobsters kidnapped Davis off the street, threatened him, and gave him a chilling ultimatum: he had to break up with Novak and marry a Black woman...or else. He married Loray White within a matter of days.

When photos of Davis’s wedding to Loray White came out, fans might have thought that it looked like a fairy tale—not knowing the horror story behind it. Davis never truly cared for White. He was miserable throughout their entire wedding and drank heavily to cope. It must have been devastating for him, being forced to marry a woman he didn't love—but that doesn't forgive what he did to her that night.


READ MORE

Internalfb Image
May 12, 2025 Alex Summers

25 Times Networks Gambled And Lost On 80s Television

You can almost hear the pitch: “Trust us, it’ll work”. And then it didn’t. These are the TV moments that make you wonder who said yes in the first place.
Internalfb Image
May 13, 2025 Alex Summers

Famous People Who Died Legends—Then We Learned They Had Serious Demons

As years, decades, and centuries roll by, the dark legacies of the celebrated hiding in invincible ink start poking holes through their own praise—quietly, then all at once.
Dean Martin Jr. Capt. Martin posing with a USAF F-4 phantom. He was assigned to the 196th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 163rd Tactical Fighter Group.
May 20, 2025 Samantha Henman

The Sad Death Of Dean Martin Jr.

Dean Paul Martin Jr. was his Rat Pack father’s “golden boy.” This multi-talented athlete and artist could have outshone his famous father—if he hadn’t flown too close to the sun.
May 7, 2025 Jesse Singer

Think You Remember The Top Movies Of 1975? Let’s See!

These are the 34 highest-grossing movies of 1975. How many of them have you seen (or even heard of)? Well, let's find out..
Internalfb Image
May 16, 2025 Alex Summers

25 Things In The Last Of Us That Only Work If You Don’t Ask Questions

The world of television is no stranger to bizarre moments—but The Last of Us takes things to a whole new level. And once you spot them, you just can't unsee them. Spoilers ahead!
Jessica-capshaw-greys-anatomy
May 16, 2025 Marlon Wright

The Stars Of Grey's Anatomy: Where They Are Now

Medical charts couldn't track the journeys these actors have taken. Grey's Anatomy launched in 2005 as a midseason replacement. Today, the original cast members have scattered across entertainment, though a few still stay put.