FF
Famous Files
Declassified · Explained
Unclear or mixedHollywood & TV · 1950s–1970s

Sammy Davis Jr. FBI File: What's Actually in the Declassified Records

Short answer

Davis's file contains threats he received — particularly after marrying actress May Britt in 1960 — alongside reports on his political activities and associations.

File snapshot

Name
Sammy Davis Jr.
Known for
Singer, dancer, actor, and member of the Rat Pack.
Site category
Hollywood & TV
Why they appear in records
Davis appears in records as both a target of threats and a subject of background reporting.
Years covered
1950s–1970s
Source
FBI Records: The Vault — Sammy Davis, Jr.

Why there is a file

After his 1960 interracial marriage, Davis received heavy hate mail and threats, which the Bureau tracked. Separately, his political fundraising and associations were the subject of reports.

What's in the file

  • ▸Threat letters and hate-mail summaries.
  • ▸Reports on political associations and fundraising.
  • ▸Correspondence and clippings.

What people often get wrong

  • ✗He was not prosecuted on the basis of file content.
  • ✗The threat material reflects what he experienced, not what he did.

Timeline

  1. 1960
    Marriage to May Britt; threat volume rises.
  2. 1970s
    File activity tapers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Sammy Davis Jr. have an FBI file?
Davis appears in FBI records because of threats tied to his interracial marriage and reports on his political associations.
Was Sammy Davis Jr. investigated by the FBI?
The Bureau collected material on his associations, but the file also documents him as a target of threats.
What is in Sammy Davis Jr.'s FBI file?
The records include threat correspondence, civil rights-era political references, and background material.
Where can I read Sammy Davis Jr.'s FBI file?
The original FBI Vault records are linked from this profile.

Read the original records

Always consult the primary source. Public records may include redactions, allegations, and unverified informant claims.

Note: FBI Vault document previews sometimes fail to load. If the preview is stuck, use the “Download PDF” button on the FBI page.

Open: FBI Records: The Vault — Sammy Davis, Jr. ↗

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