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Swingin’ in the Season with Sammy

by Legacy Staff

Sammy Davis Jr., aka “Mr. Show Business,” was no ordinary entertainer. In fact, his life and career were rather extraordinary.

He was a triple threat who could sing, dance, and act—and did all three, from the age of 3…

He was a Rat (in the best possible sense) who palled around with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin

He was a Black man married to a White woman at the height of segregation…

He was a Christian who converted to Judaism after a life-changing experience…

Being a Jew was important to Davis. He proudly wore a Star of David and talked candidly about his faith and conversion. As the story goes, the Christian-born Davis experienced a change of heart after the 1954 car accident that took his left eye, and nearly took his life. While Davis was recovering from his injuries in the hospital, his friend Eddie Cantor talked to him about the similarities between the Jewish and Black cultures. Davis went on to do his own research, and he was sold, converting to Judaism formally in 1961.

Though he embraced Judaism, Davis became well known for his swingin’ renditions of classic Christmas songs. Perhaps it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but we don’t care. On Davis’s birthday, we’re celebrating his life—and getting into the spirit of the season—by listening to a few of his greatest holiday hits.

Christmas Time All Over the World

Jingle Bells

The Christmas Song

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