May Britt, the Swedish-born actress whose career placed her at the center of one of Hollywood’s most controversial interracial love stories, has died at 91. Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed she passed from natural causes on December 11 in Los Angeles. Born in Lidingö, Sweden, Britt began far from the spotlight, working as a photographer’s assistant before being discovered by Italian directors Mario Soldati and Carlo Ponti. Her early film work in Europe quickly established her as a rising talent.
Her success led to Hollywood, where she signed with 20th Century Fox and appeared in major productions alongside icons like Robert Mitchum and Marlon Brando. In 1959, she starred in the remake of The Blue Angel, earning major recognition and even landing on the cover of Life magazine. Her promising career, however, collided with America’s racial climate when she fell in love with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. Their marriage in 1960 sparked national controversy at a time when interracial marriage was illegal in many states. The backlash cost Britt her studio contract and placed the couple under threat and intense public scrutiny.
Despite the hardships, Britt later said she never regretted marrying Davis. The couple raised three children together: Tracey, Mark, and Jeff. But the pressure of fame, racial hostility, and Davis’s demanding career eventually strained the marriage, leading to their separation in 1967 and divorce in 1968. Britt continued acting briefly in the years that followed, appearing in television and film before stepping away from Hollywood to build a quieter life.
In her later years, Britt focused on painting, family, and her marriage to entertainment executive Lennart Ringquist, who died in 2017. She is survived by her sons, her sister Margot, and several grandchildren; her daughter Tracey died in 2020. Remembered for both her artistry and her courage, May Britt’s legacy reaches beyond film—she helped challenge racist barriers, reshape social attitudes, and leave an enduring mark on Hollywood history.
