Sammy Davis, Jr. was a remarkable talent, known for his incredible ability to sing, dance, act, and entertain. He stood out in every aspect of showbiz, making a significant impact on pop culture for nearly seventy years.
Davis had an incredibly full life as an entertainer, achieving more than many could dream of. Recently, renewed interest in his life and death has come from the Starz documentary Autopsy: The Last Hours of Sammy Davis, Jr. In light of this, we’ve taken a closer look at his autopsy to shed light on his final years and the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Sammy Davis, Jr. was a chain smoker, a common habit among many celebrities in the mid-20th century. He often smoked alongside fellow Rat Pack members like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra while performing in Las Vegas. Sadly, this habit eventually took a toll on his health.
In 1989, doctors discovered a tumor in Davis’s throat, which turned out to be cancerous. He underwent eight weeks of radiation therapy to treat it. However, in 1990, another tumor appeared, initially mistaken for a gum infection. This new tumor was larger and was deemed inoperable, ultimately diagnosed as laryngeal cancer. Sammy Davis, Jr. passed away from this illness on May 16, 1990, at the age of 64.
While laryngeal cancer was officially listed as the cause of Davis’s death, some confusion surrounds the notion that a car accident may have played a role. It’s important to clarify that this is not the case. The confusion likely stems from a serious car accident he was involved in earlier in his life, which led to him losing an eye.
On November 19, 1954, Davis was in a severe accident near San Bernardino, California. He suffered injuries to both his legs and his left eye. Although his leg injuries healed, the damage to his eye was permanent. Following the accident, he wore an eye patch for six months, and his friend Frank Sinatra helped cover his extensive medical expenses. Afterward, Davis adopted a glass eye, which he would wear for the rest of his life.
Sammy Davis, Jr.’s legacy as a multifaceted entertainer remains strong, and understanding the struggles he faced in his later years only deepens the appreciation for his remarkable talent and contributions to the world of entertainment.
