Swedish actress May Britt, who found fame in Hollywood during the 1950s before her groundbreaking marriage to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr, has passed away at the age of 91.
Her son Mark confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she died from natural causes on December 11 at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.
Born Majbritt Wilkens on 22 March 1934 in Lidingö, on the outskirts of Stockholm, she was raised by her father Hugo, a postal worker, and her mother Hillevi.
Her path to stardom began at 18 whilst working as a photographer's assistant, when renowned Italian film producer Carlo Ponti discovered her in the Swedish capital and offered her a contract.
May Britt and Sammy Davis Jr. on their wedding day in November 1960
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Following her discovery, Ms Britt relocated to Rome where she appeared in several Italian productions, including Fatal Desire alongside Anthony Quinn in 1953.
Her breakthrough to American cinema came in 1957 when 20th Century Fox signed her after studio chief Buddy Adler noticed her performance in King Vidor's War and Peace.
She quickly established herself in Hollywood, appearing opposite Robert Mitchum in the Korean War drama The Hunters in 1958, and playing Marlon Brando's love interest in Edward Dmytryk's Second World War film The Young Lions that same year.
Her defining role came as the provocative cabaret performer Lola-Lola in Dmytryk's 1959 remake of The Blue Angel, a part many had expected would go to Marilyn Monroe.
May Britt's defining role came as the provocative cabaret performer Lola-Lola in Dmytryk's 1959 remake of The Blue Angel
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She subsequently starred as singer Eadie Collins in the 1960 gangster picture Murder, Inc.
Ms Britt's life took a dramatic turn when she met Mr Davis Jr at a party following his performance at the Mocambo nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip.
The entertainer promptly ended his engagement to Canadian dancer Joan Stuart, and the couple announced their betrothal in June 1960 whilst Mr Davis was in England.
Britt converted to Judaism ahead of their wedding, which took place on 13 November 1960 at Davis's Los Angeles residence, with Rat Pack member Frank Sinatra serving as best man.
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Sammy David Jr and May Britt's union proved deeply controversial in an America where interracial marriage remained outlawed in 31 states
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The union proved deeply controversial in an America where interracial marriage remained outlawed in 31 states.
Shortly after their engagement became public, 20th Century Fox chose not to extend Britt's contract.
At Mr Sinatra's urging, the couple postponed their nuptials until after the presidential election to avoid damaging John F Kennedy's campaign.
The couple faced persistent death threats throughout their relationship and were forced to employ round-the-clock armed security.
May Britt has died at 91
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Their daughter Tracey was born in July 1961, and they later adopted sons Mark and Jeff.
The marriage ended in December 1968 amid reports linking Mr Davis to performer Lola Falana, though their daughter maintained her parents never stopped loving one another.
When Tracey asked her father why they separated, Mr Davis replied: "I just couldn't be what she wanted to me to be. A family man. My performance schedule was rigorous."
Speaking to Vanity Fair in 1999, Ms Britt expressed no regrets about her choices: "I loved Sammy, and I had the chance to marry the man I loved."
She later married entertainment executive Lennart Ringquist in 1993; he died in 2017.