Sammy Davis Jr. was a whirlwind. If you ever saw him perform—whether it was the legendary tap dance battles with Gregory Hines or him just holding a cigarette and a glass while cracking up Frank Sinatra—you knew you were watching someone who didn't have an "off" switch.
But even the most electric lights eventually flicker out.
So, how old was Sammy Davis Jr when he died? He was only 64.
Honestly, it feels way too young. For a man who had been on stage since he was three years old, 64 years old seems like just the second act. He passed away on May 16, 1990, in his Beverly Hills home. The cause? Complications from throat cancer. It’s a bit of a cruel irony, isn't it? A man whose voice was his secondary instrument—right after his feet—losing the ability to use it.
The Final Act: What Happened in 1990?
The end didn't come out of nowhere, but it happened fast. Sammy was a lifelong smoker. We’re talking four packs a day at his peak. In late 1989, doctors found a tumor in his throat.
They gave him a choice.
🔗 Read more: Game of Thrones Actors: Where the Cast of Westeros Actually Ended Up
Basically, they told him they could perform surgery to remove his larynx, which might save his life, but he’d never speak or sing again. Sammy didn't hesitate. He refused. He told his doctors he’d rather keep his voice than live without it. Instead, he opted for radiation and chemotherapy.
For a minute there, it looked like he might pull it off. He even kept working for a bit. He did episodes of The Cosby Show and was still showing up to events. But by early 1990, the cancer had spread. By the time May rolled around, the world knew the "Candy Man" was in his final days.
On the morning of May 16, he slipped away. Two days later, the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip—the place he helped build—went dark for ten minutes. It was the ultimate "curtain call" for the man they called "Mister Show Business."
Why 64 Felt Like a Century
While 64 is young by today’s standards, you have to look at the "mileage" Sammy put on his soul. This wasn't a guy who took breaks.
- Vaudeville Roots: He started touring with the Will Mastin Trio when he was just a toddler. He didn't have a childhood; he had a rehearsal schedule.
- The War: He served in the Army during WWII, where he faced brutal racism but realized he could "fight" it by being so good on stage that the bigots forgot to hate him for a second.
- The Eye: In 1954, he nearly died in a car crash in San Bernardino. He lost his left eye, but he was back on stage within months, wearing a patch and then a glass eye.
- The Rat Pack: The 1960s were a blur of Vegas residencies, movies like Ocean’s 11, and literal 24-hour partying with Sinatra and Dean Martin.
He lived more in those 64 years than most people would in 200. He was the first Black man to stay in many of the hotels he performed in. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and gave millions to the Civil Rights Movement. He converted to Judaism. He married a white woman, May Britt, when it was still illegal in 31 states.
💡 You might also like: Is The Weeknd a Christian? The Truth Behind Abel’s Faith and Lyrics
He didn't just live; he collided with history.
The Bittersweet Aftermath
Here’s something most people don't talk about. When Sammy died, he wasn't exactly sitting on a mountain of gold. Despite making a fortune over five decades, he died deeply in debt to the IRS.
We’re talking over $5 million in back taxes and interest.
His widow, Altovise Davis, had a nightmare of a time. She had to auction off his personal belongings—his jewelry, his tap shoes, even his scripts—just to try and settle the bill. It’s a sad footnote for a man who gave so much of himself to his audience. He lived large, he spent fast, and he believed the party would never end.
A Legacy That Doesn't Age
Even though he was 64 when he died, Sammy Davis Jr.’s influence is everywhere. You see it in every "triple threat" performer who tries to sing, dance, and act. You see it in the way Las Vegas operates today.
📖 Related: Shannon Tweed Net Worth: Why She is Much More Than a Rockstar Wife
He broke the color barrier in a way that was both subtle and loud. He’d hug a President one day and march in Selma the next. He was complicated, he was flawed, and he was undeniably talented.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into his life, here are a few things you should actually check out:
- Watch the movie "Tap" (1989): It’s his final film role. Seeing him dance with Gregory Hines is like watching a passing of the torch. It’s incredibly moving when you realize he was already sick.
- Listen to "I've Gotta Be Me": It’s not just a song; it was his manifesto.
- Read "Yes I Can": His autobiography is legendary. It gives you a real look at the "kid in the middle" who became the biggest star in the world.
Sammy Davis Jr. might have left us at 64, but the "Candy Man" still tastes pretty sweet decades later.
Actionable Insight: If you're inspired by Sammy's work ethic, start by watching his 1966 variety show clips on YouTube. Seeing his versatility in real-time is the best way to understand why he remains the gold standard for entertainers. Focus on his "drum solo" or his "impressions" to see the sheer range of his talent.