May Britt, the Swedish actress who starred in Hollywood films during the late 1950s and early 1960s and became the second wife of Rat Pack entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., reportedly died on December 11, 2025, at age 91.
Mark Davis confirmed his mother’s death to The Hollywood Reporter, stating she died of natural causes at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Born on March 22, 1934, in Lidingo, Sweden, Britt was discovered by Italian producer Carlo Ponti and launched a film career that would take her from European cinema to Hollywood’s golden age.
After being signed to a contract by 20th Century Fox in 1957, Britt quickly established herself as a rising star. She appeared opposite Robert Mitchum in the Korean War drama “The Hunters” in 1958, then starred alongside Marlon Brando in the World War II film “The Young Lions” the same year, directed by Edward Dmytryk.
Her breakthrough role came in 1959 when she starred in Dmytryk’s “The Blue Angel,” playing the scandalous cabaret entertainer Lola-Lola. The following year, she appeared in “Murder Inc.,” further cementing her status as a Hollywood leading lady.
Britt’s personal life, however, would soon overshadow her professional achievements. She married Sammy Davis Jr. on November 13, 1960, at his home on Evanview Drive in Los Angeles. Frank Sinatra served as best man at the ceremony. She was 26 and he was 34 at the time of their wedding.
The marriage occurred during a period when interracial marriages were illegal in 31 states, and the couple faced intense scrutiny and hostility. They received death threats throughout their relationship, forcing them to employ security measures for their protection.
The professional consequences were immediate and severe. Shortly after their engagement was announced in 1960, 20th Century Fox declined to renew Britt’s contract, effectively ending her Hollywood career at its peak.
The couple’s high-profile status made them targets of discrimination even within entertainment circles. They were disinvited from President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, a slight that highlighted the pervasive racism of the era despite their celebrity status.
Before marrying Davis, Britt had converted to Judaism, embracing her future husband’s faith. The couple had a daughter, Tracey Davis, who would later write about her father’s life and career.
The marriage ended in divorce, though the reasons were complex. Despite the divorce, their daughter Tracey later said that her parents never fell out of love.
Britt largely retreated from public life after her divorce from Davis, choosing to focus on raising her children away from the spotlight that had brought both fame and persecution. Her Hollywood career, which had shown such promise in the late 1950s, never recovered from the professional blacklisting she experienced after her engagement to Davis.
The actress’s story represents a pivotal moment in American cultural history, when the entertainment industry’s treatment of interracial couples reflected broader societal attitudes. Her willingness to marry Davis despite knowing the personal and professional costs demonstrated both courage and conviction during one of the most challenging periods of the Civil Rights era.
Britt’s film work, particularly her performances in “The Young Lions” and “The Blue Angel,” showcased her talent and screen presence. Her co-stars included some of Hollywood’s most legendary actors, and her brief but memorable career left an impression on those who worked with her.
In addition to Mark Davis, Britt is survived by other family members who have chosen to maintain their privacy following her passing. Her legacy extends beyond her film roles to encompass her role as a figure who challenged racial barriers during a transformative period in American history.