Altovise Davis: The Full Story of Sammy Davis Jr.’s Wife

Altovise Davis is often remembered as the wife of Sammy Davis Jr. He was one of the biggest entertainers of his time. Yet Altovise had her own career long before she became part of his famous life.

She was a dancer and actress. Her work took her from New York to Broadway and even to London. She later appeared in movies and popular TV shows. Her talent helped her build a place in show business.

But what was her life really like? This article looks at Altovise Davis and her early years. We will explore her career and marriage. We will also learn about her family and the hard years that came later.

Who Was Altovise Davis?

Altovise Davis was born Altovise Joanne Gore on August 30 1943. She was born in Charlotte North Carolina. She later grew up in Brooklyn New York where her interest in performing became an important part of her life.

Altovise was American. She became a professional dancer and actress. Many people know her mainly because she married Sammy Davis Jr. However she had already worked hard to build her own career before becoming his wife.

Altovise died on March 14 2009 at age 65. Her story covered many different parts of show business. She worked on stage and screen. She also spent about 20 years beside one of America’s most famous entertainers.

Altovise Davis’ Early Life

Altovise was born far away from Hollywood in Charlotte North Carolina. She was raised mainly in Brooklyn New York. Some sources name her mother as Altovise Ford. Very little is known about her father or other close family members.

Growing up in New York gave Altovise a chance to be close to theater and dance. She became interested in performing while she was young. Instead of only dreaming about the stage she worked to learn the skills she needed.

Many details about her childhood stayed private. Still her later career shows how serious she was about performing. She did not suddenly enter show business after meeting Sammy. Her path toward entertainment had started years before their romance.

Altovise Davis’ Education and Dance Career

Altovise Davis studied at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts. She reportedly spent four years there. The school helped young performers improve their acting and dance skills before trying to enter the professional entertainment world.

Altovise was also reported to be a life member of The Actors Studio. During the 1960s she worked as a chorus-line dancer. She performed in stage shows on Broadway and also traveled to London for professional work.

This part of her story is easy to miss. Altovise was not simply standing beside a famous husband at parties. She could dance and act herself. Her stage work even helped create the path that would eventually bring Sammy into her life.

Altovise Davis’ Movies and TV Shows

Altovise Davis later added acting to her career. She played Deputy Molly in Welcome to Arrow Beach. She also appeared as Lydia in the 1976 film Pipe Dreams. These roles gave her more experience outside stage work.

In 1977 she played Birch Colby in Kingdom of the Spiders. She later appeared as Mrs. Bell in Boardwalk. In 1980 she played Alicia Edwards in the musical comedy Can’t Stop the Music.

Her television work was also varied. Altovise appeared on Charlie’s Angels and had an uncredited appearance on CHiPs. She also appeared on Bert D’Angelo/Superstar. These jobs kept her connected with television during her acting years.

Altovise Davis’ Other TV Appearances

Altovise also appeared on television as herself. She and Sammy became familiar faces on the game show Tattletales. The show featured famous couples answering questions about each other. Fans got to see a more playful side of their marriage.

She appeared on other major programs too. These included The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show. She was also seen on The David Frost Show and The Mike Douglas Show.

Altovise later appeared on programs such as The Joan Rivers Show and Wogan. These appearances helped keep her name in the public eye. They also showed that her public role went beyond small movie and television parts.

How Altovise Davis Met Sammy Davis Jr.

Altovise Davis met Sammy Davis Jr. through the entertainment world. Their paths crossed during the Broadway years connected with Golden Boy. Altovise later worked in the London production and became part of Sammy’s professional circle.

Sammy was already a major star. He could sing and dance and act. He was also known for his connection with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Together they were linked with the famous group known as the Rat Pack.

Altovise eventually joined Sammy’s nightclub work as a dancer. Their working relationship grew into something more personal. They began dating and soon became serious. Their romance would change both Altovise’s private life and her public image.

Altovise Davis and Sammy Davis Jr.’s Marriage

Altovise Davis married Sammy Davis Jr. on May 11 1970. Their wedding took place at a courthouse in Philadelphia. Reverend Jesse Jackson performed the ceremony. Altovise became Sammy’s third and final wife.

Their marriage lasted for about 20 years. During that time they appeared together at events and on television. Altovise also worked with Sammy on stage. Their lives became closely connected both at home and in the entertainment world.

The marriage lasted until Sammy’s death in 1990. They faced busy careers and years of public attention together. But their story was also about family. That part of their life grew even more important near the end of Sammy’s life.

Altovise Davis’ Son and Family Life

Altovise Davis and Sammy Davis Jr. did not have a biological child together. Still family became an important part of their marriage. Altovise also became a stepmother to Sammy’s children from his earlier marriage to actress May Britt.

Sammy and May had daughter Tracey Davis. They also adopted two sons named Mark and Jeff. Altovise became part of this larger family after marrying Sammy. She shared many years of her life with Sammy and his children.

In 1989 Altovise and Sammy adopted a son named Manny Davis. Sadly their time together as a family was short. Sammy died the next year. Manny later became involved in protecting and managing his father’s famous legacy.

Altovise Davis’ Charity Work

Altovise Davis also used her public name to help other people. She became active with charity groups in Los Angeles. This work showed a side of her life that had little to do with movies or famous Hollywood events.

She often took part in benefit shows. Altovise was especially involved with SHARE Inc. The group raised money to help children with special needs. It also supported children who faced abuse or neglect.

Her charity work is an important part of her story. It is easy to focus only on her famous husband. Yet Altovise spent time helping people who needed support. She used entertainment to raise money for good causes.

Altovise Davis’ Money and Tax Problems

Sammy Davis Jr. had earned large amounts of money during his long career. Because of this many people might think Altovise became very rich after his death. The truth was far more difficult.

Sammy’s estate reportedly owed millions of dollars in federal taxes. Reports placed the tax debt at around $7 million. His Beverly Hills home was sold. Jewelry and other personal items were also sold while the estate dealt with the debt.

Altovise spent years facing these problems. A settlement with the IRS was finally reached in 1997. But her money troubles did not completely end. The years after Sammy’s death were very different from the glamorous life many fans had seen.

Altovise Davis’ Later Tax Debt

Another major money problem became public years later. In 2008 Altovise Davis appeared on a California Franchise Tax Board list of people who owed large amounts of state tax.

The amount linked to Altovise was about $2.7 million in unpaid personal income tax. This happened less than one year before her death. It showed that serious money issues remained part of her later life.

Her story is a reminder that fame does not always mean lasting wealth. Sammy had been one of America’s biggest entertainers. Yet the money and tax problems left behind after his death created years of stress for Altovise.

Altovise Davis’ Life After Sammy

Life after Sammy was not easy for Altovise Davis. She had lost her husband after 20 years of marriage. She was also dealing with his estate and large tax bills while trying to raise their adopted son Manny.

Reports say Altovise also struggled with alcohol during this hard time. She later moved to Pennsylvania and entered a treatment program. She worked to rebuild her life instead of allowing those difficult years to fully define her.

Altovise also tried to protect Sammy’s name and work. She wanted future fans to remember his music and talent. In later years she became involved in projects that celebrated his long career as an entertainer.

Keeping Sammy Davis Jr.’s Memory Alive

Altovise Davis spent part of her later life keeping Sammy’s work alive. This became important after the long fight over his estate. She wanted his career to remain available to new generations of fans.

In 2006 she helped with Mr. Bojangles: The Ultimate Entertainer. The touring musical show celebrated Sammy’s life and career. It looked back at the songs and performances that had made him famous around the world.

Altovise also became involved in legal fights over rights connected with Sammy’s estate. These issues continued near the end of her life. Today their son Manny Davis remains connected with the Sammy Davis Jr. estate.

How Did Altovise Davis Die?

Altovise Davis faced health problems during her final years. She suffered a stroke and later became seriously ill. She died from complications linked to the stroke on March 14 2009.

Altovise died in Los Angeles California. She was only 65 years old. Her son Manny and other loved ones were reportedly with her during her final days. Her death came almost 19 years after Sammy had died.

Altovise was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale California. Sammy Davis Jr. is also buried at Forest Lawn. Their long marriage had ended with his death but their names remained closely connected.

Final Thoughts

There is no reliable figure for Altovise Davis’ exact net worth when she died. Some websites give estimates. However her long history of tax and estate problems makes simple online numbers hard to trust.

Her legacy should not be measured only through money. Altovise had her own career as a dancer and actress. She performed on Broadway and in London. She also appeared in movies and on popular television shows.

She spent about 20 years married to Sammy Davis Jr. She later worked to protect his legacy after his death. Her story includes fame and love but also grief and hard times that most fans never saw.

(FAQs)

What was Altovise Davis’ net worth?

Altovise Davis’ exact net worth was never confirmed. She faced major tax problems after Sammy Davis Jr. died. In 2008 she reportedly owed about $2.7 million in state taxes.

How old was Altovise Davis when she died?

Altovise Davis was 65 years old when she died. She passed away on March 14 2009 in Los Angeles after problems from a stroke.

When was Altovise Davis’ birthday?

Altovise Davis was born on August 30 1943 in Charlotte North Carolina. She later grew up in Brooklyn New York.

Where is Altovise Davis today?

Altovise Davis is not alive today. She died in 2009. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale California near her husband Sammy Davis Jr.

Did Altovise Davis have Instagram?

No verified Altovise Davis Instagram account is known. She died in 2009 when Instagram had not yet launched. So accounts using her name today should not be assumed to be hers.

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