ets for Israeli theater because I was interested in that. I'd like to go
back."
Sammy Davis Jr. died in 1990, after a bout with throat cancer
and difficulties with alcohol and drug dependence. Altovise Davis
had troubled years after his death, when tax problems forced her to
live with family and friends as financial issues were addressed
through litigation.
Moving toward financial independence again, she hopes to give
volunteer time to serve young children. She wants to promote edu-
cational interests, particularly in the arts.
Although the Davises did not attend religious services in the
time immediately before his death, they sought counsel through
California-based Rabbi Allen Freehling, who officiated at Davis'
funeral and remains in touch with his widow, although she now
lives in New York and never actually converted.
As Altovise Davis looks forward to her Michigan visit, she also is
looking forward to the videotaped messages from Jewish friends —
including Joey Bishop and Milton Berle — that will be shown at
•
the awards ceremony.
"Sammy was very outgoing and a people person, and I think
people know that," Altovise Davis says.
❑
The Ford Freedom Award Installation Ceremony will be
held 11 am. Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Charles H. Wright
Museum of African American History. The dinner will begin.
at 6 p.m. on the same day, also at the museum. The Scholar's
Lecture will be presented at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at the
Detroit Opera House. Dinner tickets start at $1,000. Lecture
tickets range from $7.50-$12.50. (313) 494-5800.
A half-hour television program highlighting awards activities
and interviews with Altovise Davis and Gregory Hines can be
seen 2-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, on WXYZ-TV (Channel 7).
Davis with his widow;
Altovise, whom he met
during a performance of
"Golden Boy" at Detroit's
Fisher Theatre: "[Sammy]
thought that if we could
all learn to live and work
together, life would be a
better place," she says.
The late Sammy Davis Jr., recipient of this year's Ford Freedom Award, with Gregory Hines:
Hines will recall Davis' accomplishments at this year's award ceremonies.
"Sammy maintained his membership and was supportive of our congrega-
tion," Mrs. Nussbaum recalls of the entertainer's association with Temple Israel
of Hollywood. "He performed for the benefit of the temple, and May Britt kept
the holidays and shopped in our gift shop for holiday [tableware]. The Davis
children were named at temple [services]."
Acts of hatred toward the interracial marriage created tension and were
among the factors leading to the divorce.
Davis' oldest son, Mark, who had a bar mitzvah, hopes to produce a film
about his father, according to Altovise Davis. Daughter Tracey, who did not
have a bat mitzvah but attended services with the family, has worked in TV pro-
duction. Son Geoff is a librarian. Her son, Manny, just got out of the Army.
"Sammy and I were both in Israel, but we did not go together," Altovise
Davis says. "He went during a time of war [in the country], and I went with a
group of 40 women. It was wonderful to see all the cultures. They got me tick-
2/11
2000
78
A few moments before
Davis' wedding ceremony
to second wife May Britt,
who had converted to
Judaism: Le to right,
Peter Lawford, Davis,
Frank Sinatra and
Rabbi William Kramer.