Sammy Davis Jr. lived a storied life. Adored by millions over a six-decade-long career, he was considered an entertainment icon and a national treasure. But despite lifetime earnings that topped $50 million, Sammy died in 1990 near bankruptcy. His estate was declared insolvent, and there was no possibility of itever using Sammy’s name or likeness again. It was as if Sammy had never existed. Years …
Years later his wife, Altovise, a once-vivacious woman and heir to one of the greatest entertainment legacies of the twentieth century, was living in poverty, and with nowhere else to go, she turned to a former federal prosecutor, Albert “Sonny” Murray, to make one last attempt to resolve Sammy’s debts, restore his estate, and revive his legacy. For seven years Sonny probed Sammy’s life to understand how someone of great notoriety and wealth could have lost everything, and in the process he came to understand Sammy as a man whose complexity makes for a riveting work of celebrity biography as cultural history.
Matt Birkbeck’s serious work of investigative journalism unveils the extraordinary story of an international celebrity at the center of a confluence of entertainment, politics, and organized crime, and shows how even Sammy’s outsized talent couldn’t save him from himself.
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Expected more about Sammy, less about his wife and her lawyer.
I was always curious why Sammy’s legacy seem to die with him. Complicated life and legacy made clear by one man’s dedication to bring Sammy back into the light. Amazing insights into the life of this fabulous star!
Focus is on Sammy’s estate and alcoholic wife. It didn’t interest me or keep my attention.
Highly detailed account of Sammy’s financial problems.
I tried desperately to read it, but quit halfway through. I love reading about the stars and celebrities from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, but this was too long and had too much unnecessary detail.
Well written, and an interesting look at SDJ’s family after his passing. You never think of these famous folks receiving such bad advice during life, that causes such heartache after death.
Bittersweet
A whole lot of stuff I didn’t know.
Hard to follow and disjointed storyline.
I have read bios on Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and Frank Sinatra and to see how sad and tragic Sammy Davis Jr ‘s passing and the condition of his estate was heart breaking. He died too young and the way he was scammed into taking so much less than what his immense talent was worth. Sonny (the attorney who was hired to try and restore Mr. …
What a sad ending to a (seemingly) full life. Coming of age in the fifties and early sixties I thought Sammy Davis Jr. was too white on the soul meter—-this doesn’t mean he lacked talent; talent was one thing he didn’t lack. Nonetheless his need to be accepted by Sinatra was a major part of his problems.
Very interesting from cover-to-cover
Somewhat boring because it is not really about Sammy Davis Jr., but about those around him who squandered his money.
Choppy editing, a few important loose ends, but interesting.
Confusing story line about a tragic figure. I couldn’t follow it. Disappointing.
Great read. Talk about perseverance!!! And I’m not talking about the subject ! I would hire this guy as my attorney in a second!
He spent wildly, relied on the wrong people, made $50m and died broke, but was one of the most talented people in the business. Tragic
One man was determined to keep the talent legacy of Sammy Davis, Jr. in the public eye. His journey will keep you asking why in the face of all the obstacles he overcame.
I found a good book to read it was interesting and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about Sammy Davis.
Not worth the effort; glad I didn’t pay real money for it.