Like with so many cases, the near-death experience caused the performer to reevaluate his life and go on a journey to find his soul. The journey would be sparked by a visit by a Jewish Chaplain when he was in the hospital.
Afterward, he converted from Christianity to Judaism after studying and going through the proper channels.
No Autographs, Please
Sammy Davis Jr. was never a big reader during his childhood. In fact, he couldn’t read anything but comic books until after going off to join the service. Since he lacked formal education in his childhood, he never learned to write, either.
You can imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for him to get asked for an autograph and feel as though he wouldn’t be able to sign it without feeling embarrassed. So, just to play it safe, he would only sign his name – nothing more, nothing less.
The Accident
Early in the morning on one day in late November 1954, Davis Jr. accidentally crashed his car into another that was waiting to make a turn. It was a moment that would forever change the life of the 28-year old. Two women were in the other car, and both were injured but lived.
Unfortunately for the entertainer, the accident would claim one of his eyes, which resulted in him wearing a glass eye for the remainder of his years.
Moving on up
Although one may think that an accident that takes your eye may derail some, it only served to further motivate the entertainer. He went on to release his own first album in 1955, Starring Sammy Davis Jr., followed by Just for Lovers.
It was all uphill after that. He continued to release albums every year, occasionally multiple times over a 365-day period. Davis Jr. would also go on to win a number of awards including both Grammys and Emmys, along with several others.
Mr. Wonderful
In 1956, the musical "Mr. Wonderful" first opened on Broadway. The play was written specifically to show off Davis Jr.’s talents, and also included his father, Sammy Sr., and his uncle Will.
Some questioned his choice, being that he’d already found success in other entertainment avenues. Still, the show ran for over 380 performances until it closed in February of 1957.