Remembering Davis”jewel’
Altovise Davis was the light of Sammy Davis Jr.'s life, "his jewel," according to close friend Breck Wall.
"I don't think anyone loved life more than those two," said Wall, whose "Bottom's Up" burlesque show was one of the longest running acts in the entertainment capital of the world.
"We were like family," said Wall, who spent many a night in the Davis suite as Altovise's partner in a fierce game of charades with Sammy after his show.
The former chorus line dancer, who grew up in Brooklyn and was married to Sammy Davis for 20 years before he died in 1990, was buried in Los Angeles on Wednesday. She died Saturday from a stroke. She was 65.
Sammy and Altovise met in the mid-1960s while both were performing on Broadway. He was in the musical "Golden Boy" and she was in the chorus line of "High Spirits," according to published reports.
They started seeing each other in 1967, and she moved to London in the last 1960s to perform with him in "Golden Boy." She became his third wife in 1970 in Philadelphia.
After "Golden Boy" ended its run, she joined his nightclub act as a dancer. They adopted a son, Manny, in 1989.
"She was the best thing that ever happened to him," said Wall, now retired at age 73.
The last time many of us saw her was two years ago in February at Sammy's Walk of Stars ceremony at the Riviera. I had met her in February 2000, through a blind date arranged by her dear friends Robert and Vera Goulet.
Come over to the house, Robert said. "Don't bring a date. We have someone we want you meet."
Altovise arrived fashionably late and lit up the room with her smile and beauty. After our introduction and a glass of wine, Robert established the ground rules, no note-taking, no story, before we headed for Picasso restaurant at Bellagio.
The story swapping went on for three hours, and it was pure agony knowing I couldn't share their memories. It was a night of tears and laughter, often at the same time. A couple times her voice had a tinge of bitterness over the IRS mess she struggled with.
Near the end of the evening, I asked Altovise whether she had a special memory that linked Sammy with Las Vegas.
"Ohhhhh, yes," she said softly.
On the day of Sammy's funeral, the house had finally emptied of well-wishers, in time for a handful of family members to view the 10 p.m. telecast.
The lead story was Sammy's funeral, and at the end of it, the anchor noted that the Strip "had gone dark" to honor the legendary entertainer. Their adopted son turned to Altovise, uncertain of what it meant.
"Is that a good thing?" he asked.
"Yes, honey, that's a very good thing," she said.
I asked her whether I could print that story.
She agreed.
SIGHTINGS
Retired NFL legend John Elway, dining with friends Tuesday at Fix Restaurant & Bar (Bellagio). ... Michael Strahan, retired All-Pro defensive end from the New York Giants, shopping Wednesday at the Forum Shops with his girlfriend. ... Dr. Dre, who is in for a month to work on a project at the Palms recording studios, working out Wednesday at the Las Vegas Athletic Club at 215 and Flamingo. ... Paris Hilton and former Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath, announcing Lavo's sexiest leprechaun contest Tuesday. McGrath proudly showed his Irish by revealing several shamrock tattoos and his green shoelaces. She's in town shooting "My New BFF" with boyfriend Doug Reinhardt. ... At Planet Hollywood Resort: Sisters Joan and Jackie Collins, having dinner at KOI and playing some blackjack on the casino floor. They had heads spinning when they walked into Planet Dailies for breakfast Wednesday. ... Retired NFL quarterback Jim Plunkett, dining N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Tuesday with friends.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Happy Saint Patrick's Day. The water in the water fountain in front of the White House was dyed green ... which might be the only green Americans see for some time." -- Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
