The Life of a Rat Pack Member: Sammy Davis Jr.

Frank Sinatra and his famous group of friends were dubbed as the Rat Pack. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, this club of entertainers included Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Dean Martin. These guys basically ran Hollywood. The crew performed together, caused trouble, and made movies together, including the original Ocean’s 11. The famous group was known for their notorious partying and were involved in some bad boy behaviors that would make their grandmothers cry.

Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, and Frank Sinatra sitting on a bench talking

Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, and Frank Sinatra. Photo by Underwood Archives / UIG / Shutterstock

The Rat Pack only associated themselves with some of the most prominent, powerful, and elite people in the country, including politicians, mobsters, and Hollywood starlets. Sammy Davis Jr. was a talented Rat Pack member, and Frank Sinatra’s best friend. He was a child star during a time of segregation in America. The talented entertainer had a talented life.

From experiencing racism to a life-changing car accident, here is the life and career of Sammy Davis Jr.