May Britt, the Swedish actress who rose to Hollywood fame and made history with her interracial marriage to legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., has passed away. She was 91 years old.
Her son confirmed her death this week, stating she died of natural causes on December 11 at a medical center in California.
Britt’s journey to stardom began unexpectedly in the 1950s. While working as a photographer’s assistant in her native Stockholm, she was discovered, leading to a film career in Italy. Her talent soon caught the attention of Hollywood, and she secured a contract with 20th Century Fox.
She is perhaps best remembered by audiences for her role in the original Mission: Impossible film. Her other notable movie credits include The Blue Angel, which catapulted her to major fame, The Young Lions, and Murder, Inc.
However, Britt’s personal life often drew as much spotlight as her film career. In 1960, she married Sammy Davis Jr., a union that created a massive public controversy. At the time, interracial marriage was still illegal in numerous U.S. states. Despite intense public scrutiny and societal pressure, the couple persevered. They welcomed a daughter, Tracey, in 1961 before ultimately divorcing in 1968 after eight years of marriage.
May Britt’s legacy is one of both cinematic contribution and quiet courage, having navigated the pinnacle of Hollywood fame during a transformative and often divisive era in American history.
