3/02/2007
Photo by Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. - The Photogapher Burt Boyer - Author While the world has long known of Sammy Davis�s unparalleled abilities to sing , dance and act, only his closest friends and associates knew of his amazing talent and passion for photography. Now in this collection of never-before-seen photos, Burt Boyar, Sammy�s longtime friend and traveling companion, exposes these memorable images for generations of Davis�s fans, portraying a side of Sammy that has long remained a secret to the work at large. Here Davis�s candid shots include his closest friends�Fran Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Sean Connery and Paul Newman�not to mention scores of the twentieth century�s biggest stars captured at their most casual and revealing moments. From his photography one can see a striking private side of Sammy, one that gives a glimpse into his difficult past and long road to success. Accompanying these unforgettable images are Burt�s intimate remembrances of Sammy, and he gives a history and a context for many of Sammy�s striking photographs. Together with the photos, Boyar�s words offer a side of the performer far removed from his Rat Pack persona�one that is at once touching and fascinating.