Hollywood history is littered with "scandalous" romances, but honestly, nothing quite touches the sheer weight of what Sammy Davis Jr. and May Britt went through. It wasn't just a celebrity wedding. It was a cultural explosion in an era when America was still figuring out if it could even stand the sight of a Black man and a white woman holding hands.
You've probably heard the basics: he was the legendary "Candy Man," she was the stunning Swedish actress. They fell in love, got married, and the world seemingly lost its mind. But the actual details? They’re a lot messier—and way more heartbreaking—than the glossy magazine covers ever let on.
The Cost of Love in 1960
When Sammy Davis Jr. and May Britt decided to tie the knot in November 1960, they weren't just making a romantic commitment. They were technically committing a felony in 31 U.S. states. Let that sink in for a second. In more than half the country, their marriage was a crime.
May Britt was a rising star at 20th Century Fox, often compared to Marlene Dietrich or Greta Garbo. She was cool, blonde, and talented. Sammy was, well, Sammy—the most versatile entertainer on the planet. But when they went public, the hammer dropped. Fox basically told May her career was over and refused to renew her contract.
✨ Don't miss: Steve Harvey and Mr. Potato Head: The Meme That Just Won't Die
The hate mail was constant. We’re talking 24-hour armed guards at their house just so they could sleep at night.
The JFK Snub Nobody Forgets
One of the biggest gut-punches in this story involves the 1961 inauguration of John F. Kennedy. Sammy had been a massive campaigner for JFK. He’d raised money, performed, and put his neck on the line.
But then, the invitation to the inaugural gala was rescinded.
💡 You might also like: Douglas C. MacCallum Jr. Explained: The Man Behind the Legacy
Why? Because the Kennedy camp was terrified that seeing an interracial couple at the White House would alienate Southern Democrats. It was a cold, political calculation. Sammy was devastated. His friend Dean Martin was so disgusted by the move that he actually boycotted the gala in solidarity. It's one of those rare moments where the "Rat Pack" loyalty actually meant something beyond just drinking and jokes.
Life Inside the Goldfish Bowl
The couple eventually settled into a mansion in Beverly Hills. They had three kids: their biological daughter Tracey and two adopted sons, Mark and Jeff.
On the surface, it looked like they’d won. They had the house, the kids, and the fame. But the pressure of being a "symbol" is heavy. Sammy wasn't just a husband; he was a civil rights lightning rod. He was constantly on the road, performing to keep the lifestyle afloat and funding the movement.
May Britt eventually walked away from her career entirely. She wanted to be a mother and provide a stable home, but Sammy was a self-admitted workaholic. He lived for the stage. Honestly, it’s a classic Hollywood tragedy—the very talent that made her fall for him was the thing that kept him away from the dinner table.
Why did they actually split?
By 1968, the marriage was toast. People often point to Sammy’s high-profile affair with dancer Lola Falana, which he eventually admitted to. But if you listen to what May or their daughter Tracey said later in life, it was deeper than just an affair.
Sammy just couldn't be the "family man" she needed. He was chasing the next standing ovation, the next hit, the next way to prove he belonged. They stayed friends until his death in 1990, but the romantic dream ended long before the paperwork was signed. May actually passed away recently, in December 2025, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that was much more than just "Sammy's wife."
The Lasting Legacy of Sammy and May
If you look at Hollywood today, it’s easy to take for granted how common interracial relationships are on screen and off. But Sammy Davis Jr. and May Britt were the ones who took the arrows.
They didn't set out to be activists; they just wanted to get married. But in doing so, they forced a mirror up to America's face.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Lady Gaga and Her Mom (Cynthia Germanotta)
- Career sacrifice: May lost her studio contract almost immediately after the engagement.
- Political betrayal: The JFK snub showed how even "progressive" leaders were willing to sacrifice Black performers for votes.
- Social impact: Their marriage preceded the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case by seven years.
What You Can Learn from Their Story
History isn't just dates; it's about the people who had to live through the "firsts." If you're interested in diving deeper into this era, there are a few things you should do to get the full picture:
- Read "Yes I Can": Sammy’s autobiography is incredibly raw about the fear he felt during the early days of his relationship with May.
- Look for May's films: Check out The Blue Angel (1959) to see the talent Hollywood was willing to throw away just because of who she loved.
- Study the 1960 Election: Look into the "Rat Pack" involvement in the JFK campaign to see how celebrity and politics first started their messy, modern dance.
Their story is a reminder that sometimes the most "scandalous" thing you can do is simply exist as yourself.