The daughter of entertainment legend Sammy Davis, Junior and actress May Britt, Tracey
Davis, died at the age of 59 in Franklin, Tennessee. According to the Associated Press,
the author passed away on November 2nd, 2020 following a brief illness.
Tracey's ex-husband, Guy Garner, told the Associated Press…
"She loved and adored her kids more than anything. Needless to say, they are all shocked and
devastated by the loss of their mother, as are Tracey's mother [...] and her brothers,
Mark and Jeff."
Throughout her life, Tracey worked in television and advertising, in addition to publishing
several books about her unique experience growing up with one of the world's greatest
entertainers as a father. However, her relationship with her dad, who died in 1990, was definitely
complicated. They were so distant at times that Tracey didn't even have his contact information.
Despite missing some of his daughter's major milestones, they made amends toward the end
of his life.
In a 2014 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Tracey discussed her father's ambition and
their relationship.
"[He] was incredibly driven and had a huge heart, a huge zest for life. He had more energy
than anyone I had known. I am grateful for everything he taught me."
As it turns out, being the daughter of a world-famous celebrity was not all that it's cracked up
to be. According to Tracey, her father was married to his work, but he also really wanted
a family.
Although Sammy strived to have it all, he had a tough time striking a healthy work-life
balance.
Tracey elaborated to the Los Angeles Times...
"[He] didn't know how to prioritize family because work was his passion. I am not saying
that he didn't love us, but work was his driving force."
While the multi-talented performer seemed to put his career first, he still worried
about his children on account of their biracial heritage. Tracey's mother is Swedish actress
May Britt. She and Sammy were married from 1960 to 1968. As a person of mixed-race himself,
Sammy wondered if the world was going to be any better for his kids.
In 2014, Tracey discussed how their multiracial family was harassed and received death threats.
"They looked for bombs. We had armed guards. But, um, there was a lot of love in the house
and I think that kind of triumphed over all that and made us feel safe."
In adulthood, Tracey truly reconnected with her dad, but just as they started to repair
their bond, the entertainer was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, Tracey was expecting
her first child, but she still sat by her father's bedside in his final days. Although
doctors said he wouldn't live to meet his grandson, he promised his daughter that he
would get to greet his namesake.
Keeping to his word, the performer met his grandson after his birth on April 20, 1990.
Tracey described the moment her dad first saw her son to the Los Angeles Times...
"When I came up the stairs, he saw Sam. He was sitting up in the chair and tears — just
tears."
It was only one month later that Sammy Davis, Junior died at the age of 64.
Tracey Davis and her father may have had a complicated relationship, but their unique
bond made for a great story. Tracey published her first book, Sammy Davis Jr.: My Father
in 1996, six years after his death. The book was centered around her journey to reconnect
with her father in adulthood. Just one month before the author's untimely death, MGM announced
plans in October 2020 to produce a biopic about the late star based on the details from
her book.
Tracey said in a statement following the news…
"I am thrilled to know my father's life, both private and public, will be brought to the
big screen with this team of storytellers. [...] He and my mother May Britt took on the
world, choosing love and compassion over hatred and bigotry, and I am a product of that decision."
Tracey penned her second book in 2014, Sammy Davis Jr.: A Personal Journey With My Father.
The book dove into not only her relationship with her dad, but also discussed his experiences
as a talented black man in a segregated society.
Tracey elaborated to the Los Angeles Times…
"How did he make it and so many others not make it? He had talent. But what he went through
would have killed a lot of people or make them bitter or just messed with your life so bad you couldn't get over it."