May Britt, the Swedish actress known for her groundbreaking interracial marriage to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., passed away on December 11, 2025, at the Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. She was 91 years old. Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed that her death was due to natural causes.
Promising Career in Hollywood
Britt was born Majbritt Wilkens in Sweden on March 22, 1934. At just 18 years old, she caught the attention of Italian producer Carlo Ponti, which propelled her into European cinema. By 1957, she had signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, transitioning into Hollywood films.
Her early roles included performances alongside notable actors such as Robert Mitchum in the Korean War drama “The Hunters” and Marlon Brando in “The Young Lions”, both released in 1958. Britt’s significant breakthrough came in 1959 with the remake of “The Blue Angel,” where she portrayed the iconic cabaret performer Lola-Lola, a role originally made famous by Marlene Dietrich.
Historic Marriage and Public Challenges
Despite her success, it was her relationship with Davis that would shape much of her public life. The couple met after one of Davis’s performances at the Mocambo nightclub on the Sunset Strip. Their engagement, announced in June 1960, came after Davis broke off his previous engagement to dancer Joan Stuart.
Britt converted to Judaism before their wedding on November 13, 1960, at Davis’ home in Los Angeles, where Frank Sinatra served as best man. At that time, interracial marriages were illegal in 31 states, and the couple faced significant backlash, including death threats. Following the announcement of their engagement, 20th Century Fox declined to renew Britt’s contract.
The couple postponed their wedding until after the 1960 presidential election at Sinatra’s request, who was campaigning for John F. Kennedy. Even after Kennedy’s victory, Britt and Davis were not invited to the inauguration gala, reflecting the tensions surrounding their union.
Britt stepped back from acting during their marriage. The couple welcomed a daughter, Tracey Davis, in 1961 and adopted two sons, Mark and Jeff. Their marriage concluded in divorce in December 1968.
Years later, Tracey Davis recounted that her parents maintained a deep love for one another, with her father explaining, “I just couldn’t be what she wanted me to be. A family man. My performance schedule was rigorous.” Britt herself reflected on her choices without regret, stating in a 1999 interview with Vanity Fair, “I loved Sammy, and I had the chance to marry the man I loved.”
Davis succumbed to throat cancer in 1990 at the age of 64. In 1993, Britt married Lennart Ringquist, who passed away in 2017.
May Britt’s legacy is marked not only by her contributions to film but also by her role in challenging societal norms through her marriage to Davis, a significant figure in entertainment history.
