Samuel George "
Sammy"
Davis Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was an American entertainer. Primarily a dancer and singer, he was also an actor of stage and screen, musician, and impressionist, noted for his
impersonations of actors, musicians and other celebrities. At the age of three Davis began his career in
vaudeville with
his father and
Will Mastin as the
Will Mastin Trio, which toured nationally. After military service Davis returned to the trio. Davis became an overnight sensation following a nightclub performance at
Ciro's (in West Hollywood) after the
1951 Academy Awards. With the trio, he became a recording artist. In 1954, he lost his left eye in a car accident, and several years later, he converted to
Judaism.