Elijah Kelley is set to star as Sammy Davis Jr. in the forthcoming Hulu limited series from Lee Daniels.
Based on Wil Haygood’s book, “In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr.,” the eight-episode series will chart his rise from childhood stardom on the vaudeville stage where he became one of the most famous Black entertainers of the 1950s and ’60s (and the only Black member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack).
At the same time, he spent most of his career surrounded by controversy and ridicule — over his affairs with white film stars, his 1960 marriage to Swedish actress May Britt, his conversion to Judaism, his closeness to the Kennedys (and later Richard Nixon) and his problems with alcohol and drugs.
Not only will Elijah Kelley star as Davis, but he will also serve as a producer on the series.
He took to his Instagram page writing:
I’ve worked and prayed all my life to one day have this opportunity to honor the iconic legacy of Mr. Sammy Davis Jr.
That day is here.
Thank you @leedaniels @hulu @disney and everyone that has ever “believed-in” or “believed-with” me.
GodReal
See his original post below.
A filming location and production start date have not been announced.
I am super excited about the project considering the amazing job Lee Daniels did with The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
How about you?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
