May Britt, the Swedish-born actress whose Hollywood career was eclipsed by the intense controversy surrounding her marriage to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., has passed away at the age of 91. Her death from natural causes occurred on December 11 in Los Angeles.
Discovered in Stockholm by Italian filmmakers, Britt’s career began in European cinema before she signed with a major Hollywood studio in the late 1950s. Her notable roles included appearances alongside stars like Marlon Brando and a leading part in the 1959 remake of “The Blue Angel.”
It was her personal life, however, that captured the nation’s attention. Her 1960 marriage to Davis, a Black performer, defied the social and legal norms of the era, as interracial unions were still illegal in many U.S. states. The couple faced widespread public hostility, including death threats and harassment, which impacted both their public and private lives. The political climate of the time was such that their union was considered a liability, leading to their disinvitation from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural festivities.
The backlash effectively ended Britt’s studio contract and major film career. She chose to focus on her family, later stating she had no regrets about prioritizing her marriage. The couple had one biological daughter and adopted two sons before divorcing in 1968.
Britt returned to acting intermittently in television during the 1970s before retiring from the screen. She is survived by her sons, sister, and grandchildren. Her life story remains a poignant chapter from a transformative period in American cultural history.