Sammy Davis Jr.s ex-wife, Murder Inc. star, May Britt dead at 91

Swedish actress and Sammy Davis Jr’s ex-wife, May Britt, has died.She was 91.Britt, the second wife of the legendary Rat Pack member, died of natural causes at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles on Dec.

11, her son, Mark Davis, told the Hollywood Reporter.Born on the Swedish island of Lidingö in 1934, Britt was discovered by famed Italian filmmakers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati when she was 18.She appeared in several Italian films before signing a contract with 20th Century in 1957.After signing the contract, Britt, whose real name was Maj-Britt Wilkens, was cast in the 1958 films “The Hunters” and played Marlon Brando’s love interest in “The Young Lions.” She got her huge break when she the role of Lola-Lola, the young cabaret entertainer in “The Blue Angel,” a role thought to be Marilyn Monroe’s before she turned it down, the outlet reported.Her last major work was when she portrayed Eadie Collins in the 1960 gangster film “Murder, Inc.

“Britt married her first husband, Edwin Gregson, in 1958, but the couple divorced a year later.The actress first met Davis after the singer performed at the famed Los Angeles nightclub Mocambo.The couple announced their engagement in June 1960, sparking fierce backlash at a time when interracial marriage was illegal in 31 states.Britt’s contract wasn’t renewed after her engagement.The couple married in November 1960 when Britt was 26 and Davis was 34.The interracial nuptials resulted in Davis being disinvited from John F.

Kennedy’s presidential inauguration after the singer helped the politician campaign.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.JFK was worried at the time that the interracial couple’s presence on the big day would upset Southerners.“Sammy Davis Jr.

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