Friends Mourn the Passing of Sammy Davis Jr.

If you knew Sammy Davis Jr., you loved him, admired him and marveled at the energy and talent that made him a singing, dancing, acting and comedy star who had no rivals, said friends throughout the show-business world today.

Davis died early today after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.

“He always left his audience wanting more. People just couldn’t get enough of Sammy,” said comedian Bob Hope, who will be 87 on May 29. “His passing will leave a big void.”

“I think in his 64 years he lived 100 years,” another longtime friend, comedian Milton Berle, said. “He loved people and he loved his work, he loved show business.”

Berle’s voice broke several times as he recounted a friendship he said dated back at least 60 years.

“I appeared with his dad back before Sammy was even born,” Berle said. “I’m kind of choked up about this because he was a darling man and we’ll all miss him.”

Mayor Tom Bradley, who ordered the U.S. flags flown at city buildings to be lowered to half-staff in memory of Davis, called him a “consummate performer” whose “pioneering spirit has paved the way for other black entertainers.”

Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, who often had Davis at his Playboy mansions in Chicago and New York, praised the entertainer for bringing joy to many millions of fans.

“No one has brought more joy to the world over the past half-century than Sammy,” Hefner said in a statement. “I know because I was there. Mr. Wonderful is what he was and what he always will be.”

Fellow dancer and singer Shirley MacLaine remembered Davis as “a little prince, who loved everything life had to offer. I’m sure he’s loving, tasting and sharing everything where he is now. I’ll mostly miss his generosity. He was always there for whoever needed him.”

From New York, singer-actress Lena Horne added: “There’ll never be anyone like him. He was the most talented. Whenever he appeared with others, he was the star. Whenever he appeared alone, he was the star.”

Comedian and TV star Bill Cosby said of the death of the multitalented Davis: “It’s a shame. It would have been fantastic to see him at age 82 still enjoying performing for the people. I’ll see him later.”