Sammy Davis, Jr. Quotes

Powerful Sammy Davis, Jr. for Daily Growth

About Sammy Davis, Jr.

Sammy Davis, Jr., born on December 8, 1925, was an American singer, dancer, actor, and comedian who made a significant impact in the entertainment industry with his charismatic charm, versatility, and talent. Growing up in a vaudeville family, he started performing at the tender age of three, touring with his father's group, The Will Mastin Trio. Davis joined the trio as a dancer at just five years old, where he developed his exceptional tap dancing skills and began singing. His career took off when he replaced Deana Durbin as Billy Rose's radio show guest for three weeks in 1939. Davis then signed with MGM in 1943 and had a successful film career until the early 1950s. In 1954, Davis converted to Judaism after marrying Loray White, a Jewish woman. This decision was significant because it came during a time of racial segregation in America, demonstrating his commitment to interracial and interfaith unity. Davis's activism increased throughout the years, leading him to become a close friend and ally of Martin Luther King Jr., and participating in marches for civil rights. In 1960, Davis suffered a severe car accident that left him unable to walk for several months. He recovered and continued his career with renewed vigor, hosting the variety series "The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show" from 1966 to 1974. His major works include albums like "Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings a Song of Love," "My Kind of Town," and "The Rat Pack," reflecting his wide range as an entertainer. Throughout his life, Sammy Davis, Jr., faced adversity due to his race and religion but persevered, becoming a symbol of resilience and unity in the entertainment industry. He passed away on May 16, 1990, leaving behind an indelible legacy as one of the most influential performers of the 20th century. Notable quotes from Davis include: 1. "I don't want to be a genius all the time. It's too much work." 2. "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mount of our desires." (Quote from Nelson Mandela that Davis often used) 3. "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I can't stop my legs from moving, and music is like water filling my senses."

This quote suggests a deep, natural connection between Sammy Davis, Jr. and music, as well as an inherent need to express himself rhythmically. The phrase "I can't stop my legs from moving" indicates his physical response to music, perhaps referring to dance or some other form of movement. The use of the metaphor "water filling my senses" emphasizes the profound impact of music on him, likening it to a life-giving force that permeates and enlivens his entire being. In essence, this quote illustrates Sammy Davis, Jr.'s passion for music and how it fuels his creativity and self-expression.


"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back."

This quote by Sammy Davis, Jr. emphasizes the importance of not just receiving experiences, knowledge, or opportunities in life, but also giving back, contributing, or actively participating. It's a call for balance: don't just passively receive, but engage, share, and contribute to make a difference. This quote encourages an active role in life and interactions with others, rather than being receptive only.


"There is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."

This quote by Sammy Davis, Jr. emphasizes that every act of kindness, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has far-reaching and unpredictable effects. Kindness is not bound by size or scope; it generates a chain reaction, spreading positivity and goodwill in ways we may never fully comprehend. It serves as a reminder that each of us has the power to make a difference, even in small ways, and that our actions can impact others in ways we might not expect.


"I learned very early in my career that there was no point in making enemies out of people who could help me."

This quote from Sammy Davis, Jr. emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships with others, especially those who have the potential to support or assist you in achieving your goals. It suggests that creating unnecessary conflict or animosity with individuals who can aid in one's success is counterproductive and should be avoided. Instead, it encourages fostering constructive and cooperative relationships, which can lead to mutual growth and advancement.


"You've got to be able to stand the heat, and dance in it."

This quote by Sammy Davis, Jr. emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and determination in the face of adversity or challenging situations. The "heat" represents hardships, obstacles, or difficult circumstances that one might encounter in life. By dancing in it, Sammy suggests not only surviving but thriving under such pressures by maintaining grace, agility, and a positive attitude. In essence, the quote encourages perseverance, flexibility, and the ability to find joy and rhythm even amidst life's trials and tribulations.


You always have two choices: your commitment versus your fear.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Wisdom, Commitment, Always, Fear

Alcohol gives you infinite patience for stupidity.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Patience, Alcohol, Infinite, Stupidity

Though I love the luxury of the Waldorf Towers, room service there doesn't do soul food.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Love, Soul, Though, Room Service

The success of the Rat Pack or the Clan was due to the camaraderie, the three guys who work together and kid each other and love each other.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Love, Other, Rat, Work Together

When you lose a lover it's like getting a bad haircut. It grows back in time.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Bad, Getting, Grows, Haircut

I had traveled 10 states and played over 50 cities by the time I was 4.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Over, Cities, By The Time, Traveled

I saw that my image was changing or fading. One of the reasons for taking a break from clubs was to be missed-not forgotten.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Break, Image, Reasons, Taking A Break

I bought a house in the Hollywood Hills and brought my grandmother from Harlem to live in it with me.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Hollywood, Brought, Bought, Hills

There are certain romances that belong in certain cities, in a certain atmosphere, in a certain time.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Romantic, Belong, Atmosphere, Romances

Ten million dollars after I'd become a star I was deeply in debt.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Star, Million, Dollars, Million Dollars

Sober up, and you see and hear everything you'd been able to avoid hearing before.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

See, Been, Before, Sober

There's nothing that can match Broadway for stature and dignity.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Nothing, Match, Broadway, Stature

During three decades, along all the highways of my youth, Frank had always been there for me.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Always, Been, Frank, Decades

Everything Michael Jackson does on stage is exactly right.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Stage, Michael, Jackson, None

The one thing you don't want is that stale sound when you've done a line so much you can't find a fresh approach to it. Drop it.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Want, Drop, Line, Fresh

There are lines that I know are going to get a belly laugh, but after a few shows I get sick of hearing myself say them so I drop them.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Drop, Going, Belly, Laugh

I go to temple a lot less than I would like because when I do, people still look at me as if they think it's a publicity stunt.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Think, Like, Still, Temple

If you want to get known as a singer you hire five sexy chicks and let them fight over you onstage and for the cameras. That's publicity, man.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Singer, Over, Hire, Chicks

I'd learned a lot in the Army. I knew that above all things in the world I had to become so big, so strong that people and their hatred could never touch me.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Strong, Big, Learned, All Things

Marilyn and I were rumored to be an item. We were friends. Nothing more. Marilyn was one of the sweetest creatures that ever lived.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

More, Creatures, Item, Sweetest

All I really had was my talent. Without that I wouldn't be welcome at the White House.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Talent, White, Had, White House

I have to be a star like another man has to breathe.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Star, Like, Another Man, Breathe

I believed in Bobby Kennedy. Campaigning for him was an attempt to give back something to this country that has given me so much.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Country, Give, Given, Campaigning

When Liza Minelli was a child, she used to sit on my lap and call me Uncle Sammy.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Uncle, Used, Call, Lap

I was so opposed to the war in Vietnam that I initially refused President Nixon's urgings for me to go there.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Opposed, Nixon, Refused, President

Fame comes with its own standard. A guy who twitches his lips is just another guy with a lip twitch - unless he's Humphrey Bogart.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Own, Another, Standard, Twitch

The manic pursuit of success cost me everything I could love: my wife, my three children, some friends I would have liked to grow old with.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Love, Some, Cost, Manic

May was young and beautiful, we were legally married, but she was caught in the prison of my skin.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Beautiful, She, Caught, Legally

The civil rights movement wasn't easy for anybody.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Rights, Anybody, Civil, Rights Movement

To appear on the stage drunk, to have them leave there and remember me making drunken mistakes, that was death.

- Sammy Davis, Jr.

Remember, Drunk, Making, Appear

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