Sammy Davis Jr.

Born Dec. 8, 1925, in New York City, Sammy Davis Jr. spent his childhood performing with his father on the vaudeville circuit and made his film debut at age 7 in Rufus Jones for President (1933).

After serving in World War II, he returned to the United States with a deeper desire than ever to be famous, establishing a successful recording career and a relationship with the high-profile Rat Pack, which led to roles in Ocean's Eleven (1960), Sergeants 3 (1962), Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) and Salt and Pepper (1968). Davis made his Broadway debut in 1956 in the semiautobiographical musical "Mr. Wonderful" and earned a Tony nomination in 1964 for his performance in the musical version of Clifford Odets's "Golden Boy."

He returned to the stage in 1978 with a revival of "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off." A longtime cigar smoker, he died May 16, 1990, of throat cancer.

The Cannonball Run

1981 PG

High jinks and hilarity ensue as daring drivers -- including Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Dom DeLuise, Peter Fonda, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jackie Chan -- team up for an illegal cross-country road race that they'll do anything to win.