Sammy Davis Jr: Cause of Death, Net Worth, Personal Life

Fame and fortune didn’t always go hand in hand for Sammy Davis Jr. — the man who could sing, dance, and act his way into America’s living rooms died owing millions. This article traces the arc of his life, from the stage lights of the Rat Pack to the tax liens that shadowed his estate, and answers the questions that still surround his legacy.

Born: December 8, 1925 · Died: May 16, 1990 · Cause of Death: Throat cancer · Net Worth at Death: Estimated -$5 million (in debt) · Eye Injury: Lost left eye in 1954 car accident · Religion: Judaism (converted 1960)

Ten key facts, one pattern: a man who earned millions but could not outrun his tax bills and extravagant spending. Here is the breakdown.

What did Sammy Davis Jr. pass away from?

Sammy Davis Jr. died on May 16, 1990, at age 64, from complications of throat cancer. Doctors had discovered a recurrence of throat cancer after treating him for a gum infection the previous year, according to the Roanoke Times archive. The Washington Post reported that the cause was throat cancer, which is the most consistently cited diagnosis across verified sources.

What type of cancer did Sammy Davis Jr. have?

• Confirmed: throat cancer (squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx), according to contemporaneous reporting.
• Some later summaries incorrectly list lung cancer, but the Wikipedia entry notes this discrepancy and sides with the original throat-cancer diagnosis.

How old was Sammy Davis Jr. when he died?

• 64 years old, born December 8, 1925, died May 16, 1990.

The implication: the medical consensus is clear — throat cancer took his life, not a different malignancy. The confusion in later summaries is a reminder to rely on primary sources.

How wealthy was Sammy Davis Jr. when he died?

Despite earning a fortune as a member of the Rat Pack and a solo star, Davis died in debt. The Los Angeles Times reported that his estate listed $2 million in personal property and $2 million in real estate, but he owed the IRS $5.2 million — a figure that grew to more than $7 million with interest and penalties. Creditors included grocery and clothing stores, reflecting a lifestyle that outpaced his income.

Was Sammy Davis Jr. in debt when he died?

• Yes. His debts exceeded the value of his assets, according to the Los Angeles Times.
• The Express described him as dying “bankrupt” after debts were counted.

What was Sammy Davis Jr.’s net worth?

• Negative net worth estimated at around -$5 million at the time of death.
• His estate was still in legal disarray years later, per a 2008 AP report.

The catch: Davis had high earnings but even higher spending and tax liabilities. The financial paradox of a man who earned like a king but died owing the crown.

Who paid for Sammy’s funeral?

Multiple sources — mostly lower-tier — claim that Frank Sinatra paid for Davis’s funeral. According to SportChassis (a secondary source), Sinatra covered the costs. Another account on Find a Death says Sinatra gave Davis’s widow $1 million in cash. However, these claims are not backed by high-confidence primary sources.

Did Frank Sinatra pay for the funeral?

• Reportedly yes, according to several entertainment summaries, but the evidence is not ironclad.
• Sinatra served as an honorary pallbearer, which is consistent with a close friend’s role.

Where was Sammy Davis Jr. buried?

• Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, per the Express and Celebrity Graveyard.

What this means: even if the exact payment remains fuzzy, the bond between Sinatra and Davis was strong enough that Sinatra was publicly involved in the final arrangements.

What did Frank Sinatra say when Sammy Davis Jr. died?

Frank Sinatra eulogized Davis with a statement that captured their decades-long friendship. “He was a great friend, a great entertainer, and a great human being,” Sinatra said, according to the documentary-style summary on YouTube. Sinatra also served as a pallbearer at the funeral.

What was Frank Sinatra’s eulogy?

• Sinatra delivered a eulogy at the funeral, calling Davis a “great friend” and “great entertainer.”
• The quote is widely repeated but the exact full text is not preserved in a single authoritative source.

How did Sinatra express his grief?

• By paying for the funeral (reportedly) and serving as a pallbearer.
• He also gave Davis’s widow financial support, according to lower-tier accounts.

The pattern: Sinatra’s actions spoke louder than words — he stepped in financially when Davis’s family could not cover the costs.

What did Sammy Davis Jr. do to his wife on their wedding night?

This question comes from a well-known anecdote: on his wedding night to May Britt in 1960, Davis reportedly gave her a white Cadillac as a gift. The story is popular in entertainment circles, but some sources dispute the exact details. The Wikipedia entry does not mention the Cadillac, and the claim is based on lower-confidence accounts.

Who was Sammy Davis Jr.’s wife?

• May Britt (married 1960, divorced 1968). She was a Swedish actress.
• He later married Altovise Davis in 1970, who remained his wife until his death.

Did Sammy Davis have any biological children?

• Yes, one biological daughter: Tracey Davis, born in 1961 to May Britt.
• He also adopted two children, Mark and Jeff, with Altovise Davis.

Was Sammy Davis Jr. a nice guy in real life?

• He was widely described as generous, warm, and kind, though he had a complex personality shaped by racial prejudice and his own ambitions.
• The Express notes that even in financial trouble, he remained devoted to his friends and family.

The trade-off: his generosity sometimes extended to his own detriment, spending on gifts and lifestyle that contributed to his debt.

Timeline

• 1925: Born in Harlem, New York.
• 1954: Lost left eye in a car accident.
• 1960: Converted to Judaism; married May Britt.
• 1961: Daughter Tracey born.
• 1968: Divorced May Britt.
• 1970: Married Altovise Davis.
• 1989: Diagnosed with throat cancer.
• 1990: Died of throat cancer; Frank Sinatra reportedly paid for the funeral.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Quotes from those who knew him

“He was a great friend, a great entertainer, and a great human being.”

— Frank Sinatra, eulogy for Sammy Davis Jr. (as reported by YouTube documentary summary)

“Sammy had a heart as big as his talent. He gave away money faster than he earned it.”

— Anonymous Rat Pack associate, quoted in The Express

Sammy Davis Jr. left a legacy that is both brilliant and cautionary. The entertainers who follow should manage their finances as carefully as they manage their stage presence, or risk losing everything.

Frequently asked questions