Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed that Britt died of natural causes on December 11 at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles.
From Sweden to the silver screen
Born Maj-Britt Wilkens on March 22, 1934, in Lidingö near Stockholm, Britt grew up far removed from the spotlight of international cinema. Her journey into acting began unexpectedly in the early 1950s while she was working as a photographer’s assistant in Stockholm. There, she was discovered by Italian filmmakers Mario Soldati and Carlo Ponti, who were searching for a fresh, unconventional talent.
She made her film debut in Italy, appearing in adventure and drama productions such as Jolanda, the Daughter of the Black Corsair (1953). Her success in European cinema soon led to a role in King Vidor’s lavish 1956 adaptation of War and Peace, starring Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda. That performance caught the attention of Buddy Adler, head of 20th Century Fox, who offered her a long-term studio contract.
By the late 1950s, Britt had relocated to Hollywood and was cast alongside major stars. She appeared opposite Robert Mitchum in The Hunters (1958) and played a love interest to Marlon Brando in The Young Lions (1958). Her breakout moment came in the 1959 remake of The Blue Angel, where she stepped into the iconic role of Lola-Lola. That same year, she appeared on the cover of Life magazine, celebrated as a striking new Hollywood presence.
Marriage that shook Hollywood
In 1959, Britt met entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., and their relationship quickly became a media sensation. The couple married in November 1960 after Britt converted to Judaism. Their union sparked fierce backlash at a time when interracial marriage was still illegal in many U.S. states. The hostility they faced included threats and constant public scrutiny, and soon after their engagement became public, 20th Century Fox declined to renew Britt’s contract.
Despite the consequences, Britt never expressed regret. She stepped away from acting to focus on family life. The couple welcomed a daughter, Tracey, in 1961 and later adopted two sons, Mark and Jeff. Though the outside world was often hostile, their children later described a loving home.
After Britt and Davis divorced in 1968, she briefly returned to acting before choosing a quieter life devoted to family and painting. Remembered for both her talent and her courage, May Britt leaves behind a legacy that challenged the social boundaries of her time.
