Sammy Davis Jr.’s remarkable life was defined by pushing boundaries—as an African American performer, a convert to Judaism, and, reportedly, a bisexual man. In an era where any deviation from the norm was scrutinized, particularly for a high-profile Black entertainer, Davis’s personal life was the subject of much speculation. He also, supposedly, had a flirtation for a time with Leveyan Satanism.
Contemporary accounts suggest that Davis was “open about his sexuality” and “got into his bisexuality,” according to fellow musician Paul Anka. Anka recalled Davis expressing an unconstrained philosophy, stating he enjoyed “living my life the way I want to. No restraints, no hang-ups.” This openness about being “involved with two women, with guys” speaks to a man who refused to be compartmentalized, both professionally and personally. He is rumored to have had a relationship with porn legend Linda Lovelace AND her husband simultaneously.
While his public relationships focused on his three marriages to women, including the racially charged interracial marriage to May Britt, Davis’s reported bisexuality adds another layer to his legacy as a figure who simply defied expectations. He embraced an eclectic group of people and sought to experience life fully, making his sexual identity one facet of his larger, complex narrative of self-determination.
