May Britt, the Swedish actress who braved intense racism to marry entertainment icon Sammy Davis Jr. during the height of the civil rights movement, died December 11 in Los Angeles at age 91. Her death marks the passing of both a Hollywood star and a quiet pioneer for interracial relationships.
May Britt, the Swedish actress whose 1960 marriage to Sammy Davis Jr. became a landmark moment in Hollywood’s civil rights history, has died at 91. Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she passed away from natural causes on December 11 at a Los Angeles hospital.
Britt’s passing closes a remarkable chapter in entertainment history—one defined by glamour, talent, and extraordinary courage in the face of widespread prejudice. At a time when interracial marriage remained illegal in 31 states, her union with Davis challenged social conventions and paved the way for future generations.
The Rise of a European Star
Born in Switzerland, Britt was discovered by legendary Italian producer Carlo Ponti at just 18 years old. Her European beauty and acting talent quickly propelled her to international recognition.
Her film career included significant roles alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names:
- War and Peace (1956) with Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda
- The Hunters (1958) starring Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner
- The Blue Angel (1959), a drama that showcased her dramatic range
- Murder, Inc. (1960), where she demonstrated singing and dancing abilities
Britt’s transition to American cinema in the late 1950s positioned her as a rising star with the potential for major Hollywood success. But her personal life would soon eclipse her professional achievements in both controversy and historical significance.
A Fateful Meeting and Historic Marriage
The meeting between Britt and Davis occurred after one of his performances in Los Angeles. According to their daughter Tracey Davis’s 2014 memoir Sammy Davis: A Personal Journey With My Father, Davis invited Britt to a party, sparking a relationship that would soon make national headlines.
By June 1960, the couple announced their engagement, immediately triggering widespread controversy. Their relationship unfolded against the backdrop of the burgeoning civil rights movement, with interracial marriage bans still enforced across much of the United States.
The political pressure became intense enough that Frank Sinatra—Davis’s co-star in the upcoming Ocean’s Eleven and a supporter of presidential candidate John F. Kennedy—reportedly urged the couple to postpone their wedding until after the election. Despite wedding invitations already being sent, Davis, who had campaigned for Kennedy, agreed to delay the ceremony.
The Kennedy Administration’s Betrayal
The political calculations surrounding their relationship reached a painful climax following Kennedy’s victory. According to her daughter’s account, the couple received a disinvitation from the presidential inauguration gala just three days before the event.
This snub reflected the Kennedy administration’s concern about alienating Southern members of Congress during a tense political climate. The rejection highlighted the harsh reality that even celebrity status couldn’t shield interracial couples from institutional racism at the highest levels of government.
Despite these challenges, Britt and Davis married and started a family. They welcomed daughter Tracey in 1961 and subsequently adopted sons Mark and Jeff. Their family life, however, continued to face external pressures that ultimately contributed to their divorce in 1968.
Life After Hollywood and Enduring Legacy
Following her divorce from Davis, Britt’s acting career slowed considerably. She appeared in occasional television roles, including episodes of Mission: Impossible and The Most Deadly Game, and starred in the 1976 horror film Haunts.
While she largely stepped away from the spotlight, her impact on Hollywood and American society endured. Britt lived to see interracial marriage fully legalized nationwide following the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision—a ruling that validated the personal courage she and Davis had demonstrated years earlier.
Her legacy extends through her family. Britt is survived by her sons Mark and Jeff, her sister Margot, and grandchildren Andrew, Ryan, Sam, Montana, Greer, and Chase. Her daughter Tracey preceded her in death in 2020.
May Britt’s story represents more than just a Hollywood romance—it’s a testament to personal bravery during a transformative period in American history. Her life reminds us that the entertainment industry’s glamour often concealed deep social tensions, and that some of its most meaningful stories unfolded offscreen.
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