Love Defies Boundaries, But Society Judges: The Remarkable Life of May Britt
The world has lost a trailblazer. May Britt, the Swedish actress whose bold decision to marry Sammy Davis Jr. in 1960 challenged the deeply ingrained racism of the era, has passed away at 91. But here's where it gets controversial: while their love story is celebrated today, it faced vicious opposition at the time, exposing the ugly underbelly of American attitudes towards interracial relationships.
Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed the news, stating she died peacefully of natural causes on December 11th at a Los Angeles hospital. Born Maj-Britt Wilkens in Sweden in 1934, Britt's journey to stardom was serendipitous. Working as a photographer's assistant in Stockholm, she was discovered by Italian filmmakers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati, landing the lead role in the 1953 adventure film Jolanda, the Daughter of the Black Corsair. This marked the beginning of a string of Italian films, culminating in her appearance alongside Audrey Hepburn in King Vidor's opulent 1956 adaptation of War and Peace.
Her talent caught the eye of Buddy Adler, head of 20th Century Fox, leading to a studio contract. Emigrating to the US in the late 1950s, she starred opposite Marlon Brando in The Young Lions and Robert Mitchum in The Hunters, before achieving breakthrough success as the captivating Lola-Lola in the 1959 remake of The Blue Angel. Her star was on the rise, gracing the cover of Life magazine in 1959 with the headline “May Britt: Star With a New Style”.
Britt's personal life, however, was marked by both joy and turmoil. Her first marriage to Edward Gregson in 1958 was short-lived, ending in separation a year later. It was then that she met Sammy Davis Jr., and their love story ignited a firestorm. Converting to Judaism before their 1960 wedding, Britt and Davis faced a barrage of negativity. Interracial marriage was still illegal in most US states, and the couple endured harsh media scrutiny, harassment, and even death threats.
And this is the part most people miss: despite Davis campaigning for John F. Kennedy, the newlyweds were disinvited from the 1961 inauguration gala to avoid alienating conservative congressmen. Their daughter, Tracey Davis, poignantly recalled the fear and hostility they faced: “It was very difficult … there were death threats, there were bad words written on our car, they looked for bombs, we had armed guards.”
The pressure took its toll. Britt abandoned her acting career after marrying Davis, with 20th Century Fox refusing to renew her contract. “She threw herself into her family,” Tracey reflected, “but it was difficult for my mom, because what she did for a living came to an end.” Yet, Britt never regretted her choice. “I loved Sammy and I had the chance to marry the man I loved,” she declared in 1999.
Their marriage lasted seven years, producing daughter Tracey and two adopted sons, Mark and Jeff. Tracey fondly remembers a home filled with love. However, rumors of Davis’s infidelity with dancer Lola Falana led to their separation in 1967 and divorce in 1968.
Britt returned to acting after the divorce, taking on smaller roles in television shows like The Danny Thomas Hour, Mission: Impossible, and The Most Deadly Game, and starring in the 1976 horror film Haunts. Her final role was in a 1988 episode of the sci-fi detective series Probe.
In 1993, she found love again with Lennart Ringquist, an entertainment executive and horse breeder. He passed away in 2017. Britt is survived by her sons, sister Margot, and grandchildren Andrew, Ryan, Sam, Montana, Greer, and Chase. Sadly, her daughter Tracey passed away in 2020 at the age of 59.
May Britt's life was a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity. Her story forces us to confront the ugly realities of racism and the sacrifices individuals make for love. Was society right to judge their love? Did Britt pay too high a price for her happiness? Let's continue the conversation in the comments.
