<img src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&amp;c2=36750692&amp;cv=3.6.0&amp;cj=1"> Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Cause Of Death, Confirmed
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Your details are incorrect, or aren't in our system yet. Please try again, or sign up if you're new here.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Create a GAMURS
By g up, you agree to our and of Service.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose a name
Choose a unique name using 3-30 alphanumeric characters.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose your preferences
Choose how we communicate with you, opt out at anytime.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Check your email
An confirmation link was sent to your email. Don't forget to check your spam!
Enter the email address you used when you ed and we'll send you instructions to reset your .
If you used Apple or Google to create your , this process will create a for your existing .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Reset instructions sent. If you have an with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or if the problem persists.
Photo by Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images

Sammy Davis, Jr.’s cause of death, confirmed

The cigarettes always catch up with you eventually.

Sammy Davis, Jr. was a singular talent. He was one of the rare entertainers who could sing, dance, act, and joke with the absolute best in every field. He could do it all and then some, dominating pop culture for the better part of seven decades.

Recommended Videos

Sammy Davis, Jr. had about as full a life as any entertainer could hope to have. That said, his cause of death has experienced renewed interest due to the Starz documentary Autopsy: The Last Hours of Sammy Davis, Jr. To make sense of what happened during the entertainer’s final years, we decided to revisit his autopsy, so we could provide the answers that fans are looking for.

Sammy Davis, Jr. suffered from Laryngeal cancer

Sammy Davis, Jr. was a chain smoker, like so many mid-20th century superstars. He regularly smoked alongside Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and the rest of the Rat Pack when they were putting on shows in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the entertainer’s habit caught up to him in his later years.

A tumor was discovered in Sammy Davis, Jr.’s throat in 1989. It was diagnosed as being cancerous, and the entertainer was treated with eight weeks of radiation therapy. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, though, another tumor surfaced in 1990. An examination of what was initially thought to be a gum infection revealed an even bigger tumor, and this one was deemed inoperable. It was diagnosed as Laryngeal cancer. Davis, Jr. died as a result on May 16, 1990. He was 64 years old.

Was Sammy Davis, Jr. in a car accident?

David Redfern/Redferns

Sammy Davis, Jr.’ official cause of death was Laryngeal cancer. There has been some confusion, however, as to whether a car accident was partially to blame for his untimely death. This is not the case. The reason there has been some confusion is that Davis was involved in a serious accident earlier in his life, which resulted in him losing an eye.

Daily Bulletin reports that Davis got in a crash on November 19, 1954 outside of San Bernardino, California. The entertainer suffered injuries to both his legs and his left eye. The injuries to his legs healed, but the eye did not. He wore an eye patch for six months following the accident, and friend Frank Sinatra helped out by covering the extensive medical bills. Davis would adopt a glass eye for the rest of his career.


We Got This Covered is ed by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about our Policy
Author
Image of Jesse Torres
Jesse Torres
Jesse Torres is a freelance entertainment writer at We Got This Covered. He specializes in film and TV news, though he also enjoys covering music. Jesse's favorite Marvel film is Iron Man 3, and he's prepared to debate this ad nauseam with anyone that disagrees (i.e. most people).