SHORT TAKES : 800 Meet to Honor Sammy Davis
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About 800 actors, dancers and comedians attended a luncheon in Beverly Hills to honor Sammy Davis Jr. for his contribution to the world of dance.
Davis, 64, whose condition was diagnosed as cancer in September, 1989, was unable to attend and is recuperating at home.
His wife, Altovise, on Sunday accepted the annual Gypsy Award from the Professional Dancers Society on his behalf.
“I’m still a gypsy at heart and of all the tributes that Sammy has received this is the one he would have really liked to be at,” said Altovise, a former dancer.
Among those attending were Patrick Swayze, Debbie Allen, Milton Berle, Janet Leigh, Nancy Sinatra Jr., Ken Berry and the Nicholas Brothers.
The event featured footage of Davis’ career from vaudeville to the Las Vegas stage to Hollywood films.
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