Sammy Davis Jr.’s Ex-Wife, Murder, Inc. Star May Britt Dead at 91

Swedish actress May Britt, best known for her role in the classic gangster film Murder, Inc. and her high-profile marriage to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., has died at the age of 91. Her family confirmed that she passed away of natural causes on December 11, 2025, at a hospital in Los Angeles.

Britt was born Maj-Britt Wilkens on March 22, 1934, in Lidingö, a small island near Stockholm, Sweden. Discovered as a teenager by Italian filmmakers, she began her career in European cinema before moving to Hollywood in the late 1950s after signing with 20th Century Fox.

A Career in Film and Hollywood

In Hollywood, Britt appeared in a string of notable films, including

• The Hunters (1958),

• The Young Lions opposite **Marlon Brando*, and

• The Blue Angel (1959), where she played the memorable role of Lola-Lola.

Her performance in the 1960 gangster drama Murder, Inc. remains one of her most recognized roles and helped cement her place in classic American cinema.

A Historic and Controversial Marriage

Britt married Davis Jr. in November 1960 in what became one of the era’s most talked-about weddings. At a time when interracial marriage was still illegal in many U.S. states, their union drew fierce public scrutiny and widespread backlash. Britt’s acting contract was reportedly not renewed after the engagement became public, and the couple even received death threats forcing them to hire round-the-clock security.

Their marriage also intersected with national politics: Davis Jr. was reportedly uninvited from then-President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration due to concerns about the political fallout of their interracial marriage — despite his vocal support for Kennedy’s campaign.

Together, Britt and Davis Jr. had one daughter, Tracey, and later adopted two sons. The couple divorced in 1968 after years of both personal and professional pressures, but their relationship left an enduring cultural mark.

Later Life and Legacy

After her divorce, Britt continued to take on acting roles, including television appearances in shows such as Mission: Impossible, before stepping back from acting in the late 1980s. She later focused on painting and her family life. In 1993, she married her third husband, Lennart Ringquist, who predeceased her in 2017.

Britt is survived by her two sons, her sister Margot, and several grandchildren. Her daughter Tracey passed away in 2020 at the age of 59.

Remembering a Pioneer

May Britt’s life reflected both the glamour and the social challenges of mid-20th-century Hollywood. Her success on screen and her courage off it — especially in facing the intense public scrutiny around her marriage — remain integral parts of her legacy. Her passing at 91 marks the end of a remarkable life that bridged continents, cultures, and decades of entertainment history.