May Britt, the Swedish actress renowned for her groundbreaking interracial marriage to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., passed away on December 11, 2023, at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. She was 91 years old. Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed that she died of natural causes.
Born Majbritt Wilkens in Sweden on March 22, 1934, Britt’s career began to flourish at the age of 18 when she caught the attention of Italian producer Carlo Ponti. This led her to a series of roles in European cinema. By 1957, she signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and made her Hollywood debut in the Korean War drama “The Hunters,” starring alongside Robert Mitchum. The following year, she appeared with Marlon Brando in “The Young Lions.” Her performance in the 1959 remake of “The Blue Angel” solidified her status, as she took on the iconic role of cabaret performer Lola-Lola, a character originally made famous by Marlene Dietrich.
Britt’s personal life, particularly her relationship with Davis, became a defining aspect of her public persona. The couple met after one of Davis’s performances at the Mocambo nightclub on the Sunset Strip. Their romance led to an engagement announcement in June 1960, following Davis’s breakup with dancer Joan Stuart. Britt converted to Judaism before their wedding on November 13, 1960, at Davis’ home in Los Angeles, where Frank Sinatra served as best man. Their marriage occurred during a time when interracial unions were illegal in 31 states, prompting the couple to face significant public scrutiny and threats.
Despite the challenges, the couple pushed forward with their plans, even postponing their wedding at Sinatra’s request while he campaigned for John F. Kennedy’s presidential bid. Although they were not invited to the inauguration gala, Britt and Davis maintained a strong bond throughout their marriage. They welcomed a daughter, Tracey Davis, in 1961 and later adopted two sons, Mark and Jeff. However, their marriage ended in divorce in December 1968.
Reflecting on her life choices, Britt expressed no regrets about her marriage to Davis, stating in a 1999 Vanity Fair interview, “I loved Sammy, and I had the chance to marry the man I loved.” Davis passed away from throat cancer in 1990 at the age of 64. Britt later remarried Lennart Ringquist in 1993, who died in 2017.
May Britt’s legacy extends beyond her film career, as she played a vital role in challenging societal norms regarding interracial relationships in Hollywood. Her life story serves as a testament to both her personal and professional resilience in an era marked by significant cultural change.
