Maj-Britt Wilkens (22 March 1934 – 11 December 2025), known as May Britt ( ), was a Swedish–American actress who had a brief career in the 1950s in Italy and later in the United States. She was married to American entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. from 1960 to 1968.
Life and career
thumb|235px|Britt in [[Cavalleria rusticana (1953 film)|Cavalleria rusticana]]
thumb|235px|Britt in [[L'ultimo amante]]
Maj-Britt Wilkens was born in Lidingö on 22 March 1934, the daughter of Hugo and Hillevi Wilkens.
Britt was discovered as a teenager by Italian filmmakers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati in 1951. She was then an assistant to a Stockholm photographer. The two filmmakers were in Sweden to cast a young blonde for the title role in Jolanda, the Daughter of the Black Corsair. They came to the studio where she worked to view photographs of models. After meeting her, they offered her the part. May Britt, as she was renamed professionally, moved to Rome. As expected, she made her film debut as the leading actress in Jolanda, the Daughter of the Black Corsair (1952). Prior to the wedding, Britt converted to Judaism. The couple were married by Reform Rabbi William M. Kramer. It has been confirmed by Sammy and Britt's daughter Tracey, Nancy Sinatra, and documentarian Sam Pollard that this marriage resulted in Kennedy rejecting an invitation for Davis to perform at his Inauguration. Yet, Harry Belafonte, who was married to a white woman at the time, was invited to perform.
Once married, Britt retired from films.
Britt and Davis had a daughter, Tracey Davis (July 5, 1961 – November 2, 2020).
Britt and Davis adopted two sons. Britt and Davis divorced in 1968 after Davis had an affair with dancer Lola Falana.