Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr: A Friendship That Transcended Boundaries

The relationship between Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. is one of the most fascinating and complex friendships in Hollywood history. Their bond, filled with public admiration and private struggles, showcased a powerful narrative of loyalty, mutual respect, and the breaking down of racial barriers in a deeply segregated America. Their story began in the early 1940s, and by the time both men had reached the pinnacle of their careers, they had proven that friendship, in its most genuine form, can overcome even the harshest of prejudices and obstacles.

The Birth of an Unlikely Bond

It all started in 1941 when a young, charismatic Frank Sinatra, then the lead singer of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, met a rising star in the black music scene: Sammy Davis Jr. At just 16 years old, Davis was part of the Will Masten Trio, a little-known group performing that night in Detroit. Though their initial meeting was brief—sharing a sandwich during intermission—their connection was immediate. For Davis, Sinatra wasn’t just another famous artist; he was the epitome of stage power, something he and many black artists at the time were denied. In a world where segregation was still rampant, Sinatra’s willingness to engage with Davis was a groundbreaking act in itself. In 1941, it wasn’t common for white artists to break bread with black performers, but Sinatra did, and from that moment, a friendship was born.

Davis, who had long admired Sinatra, had kept articles about him in a notebook, not because of his fame but because of the influence he had over audiences. As a young boy, Davis had seen in Sinatra not just a talented musician but someone who could command respect and break down barriers—traits that, at the time, black artists could only dream of possessing.

Sinatra’s Influence and Acts of Defiance

Sinatra’s influence on Davis was undeniable, and over the years, the bond between the two men deepened. After Davis was drafted into the army in 1944, he faced severe racism, which included physical violence and isolation. Despite these challenges, Davis used his music to fight back, entertaining soldiers and making a stand against the hatred he faced. During this time, Sinatra’s public stance against racism, highlighted by his appearance in The House I Live In, a short film calling for the elimination of racial prejudice, had a profound impact on Davis. The film, which won an honorary Oscar, wasn’t just a piece of art—it was a personal message that resonated deeply with Davis, who saw it as an affirmation of the values he held dear.

When Davis returned to the stage, Sinatra’s support was unwavering. In 1947, Sinatra took a bold step by demanding that the Will Masten Trio, which included Davis, be given a larger fee to perform at the prestigious Capitol Theater in New York. This decision helped expose Davis to a wider, predominantly white audience, breaking down barriers and opening doors that had previously been closed to black performers.

Las Vegas: Breaking the Color Line

As the two men’s careers progressed, so did their impact on breaking down racial barriers, especially in the entertainment world. When Davis was preparing to perform in Las Vegas, he faced a city still deeply segregated. Black performers were not allowed to stay in the same hotels or mingle with the white patrons. Sinatra, however, would not tolerate this discrimination. When Davis was scheduled to perform at the Sands Hotel, Sinatra made it clear that he would not perform unless the management allowed Davis to stay in the same hotel. The Sands complied, and this action set a new precedent for integration in the city’s entertainment scene.

Sinatra’s influence extended beyond his words. He stood by Davis when it mattered most, especially in the face of public and professional challenges. When Davis began dating white actress Kim Novak in 1958, their relationship faced harsh criticism from the public and the studio. It is said that Sinatra intervened to protect Davis, ensuring that the relationship wouldn’t damage his career.

The Rat Pack: A Brotherhood Defined by Actions

In 1959, the Rat Pack was formed—a group that included Sinatra, Davis, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. Although initially known as “The Clan,” Davis, understanding the racial implications of the name, convinced Sinatra to change it to “The Rat Pack.” Within this group, Davis was not just a sidekick; he was an integral part of the ensemble, albeit one that often found himself the subject of racial jokes. Despite this, Davis never distanced himself from the group. He continued to perform with them, knowing that this was an opportunity to be part of something bigger than himself.

However, the racial jokes, often made at Davis’s expense, started to wear on him. Publicly, Davis laughed along, but privately, he struggled with the compromises he had to make. The tensions within the Rat Pack reached a boiling point in 1959 when Davis criticized Sinatra’s behavior, leading to a temporary split. Sinatra, hurt by Davis’s comments, cut him out of a major film project. But true to their friendship, Davis later apologized, and with the help of their friends, the two were reconciled. This was a turning point, as it made clear that even within their brotherhood, power dynamics still existed.

A Friendship That Transcended Race and Time

In the years following, the two men’s relationship shifted. Though Sinatra became more focused on his political views and distanced himself from some of the civil rights issues that Davis continued to champion, their bond remained unbroken. Sinatra’s support for Davis never wavered, whether it was standing up against segregation or publicly showing his support for civil rights causes.

In 1961, Sinatra used his influence to organize a benefit concert for Martin Luther King Jr. at Carnegie Hall. Davis performed alongside him, and the two continued to press for change behind the scenes in Las Vegas, working to integrate the city’s hotels and casinos. Their political support for the civil rights movement, however, was not without its complications, especially after the backlash Davis received for his interracial marriage to May Britt. Sinatra, while still supporting Davis, gradually distanced himself from the Kennedy administration after the snub of Davis’s performance at Kennedy’s inauguration, a moment that left Davis feeling excluded.

Final Moments and Legacy

Their relationship came full circle in the 1980s. After Dean Martin’s death, the remaining members of the Rat Pack, including Sinatra and Davis, reunited for a final tour. It was in these quiet moments, away from the spotlight, that their true friendship was revealed—not in grand speeches, but in small, unspoken gestures.

When Sammy Davis Jr. died in 1990, Sinatra’s grief was profound. At the funeral, Sinatra, who had often been a stoic figure, took on the role of a pallbearer, paying his final respects to his friend in a way that spoke volumes. He didn’t need words to express his sorrow; his actions said it all. At the funeral, Sinatra said, “I wish the world could have known Sammy the way I did.”

A Lasting Friendship Beyond Rumors

Years later, the true nature of their relationship would be questioned, especially with rumors circulating about their closeness. However, what is clear is that Sinatra’s final tribute to Davis spoke to a friendship that transcended race, power, and industry gossip. Their bond was not defined by public displays of affection or headlines but by the quiet, consistent support Sinatra gave Davis throughout his life, particularly in the face of adversity.

Frank Sinatra’s legacy will always be intertwined with the legacy of Sammy Davis Jr., not just as artists, but as two men who, through their friendship, proved that boundaries—whether racial or social—could be broken. In the end, it was Sinatra’s unspoken loyalty that defined their relationship, a friendship that, despite all odds, stood the test of time.