Beloved former Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. died broke, in debt to the IRS, and left his estate in such a shambles that it still hasn't been straightened out.
And according to "Deconstructing Sammy" (due next month from Amistad/HarperCollins), by journalist Matt Birkbeck, Davis didn't have to die.
After a cancer diagnosis in August 1989, doctors recommended surgery on his throat that offered an 80 percent chance of survival. He opted instead for radiation, which had a slim 30 percent survival rate. Davis made his decision based on his dismal finances. If he couldn't sing, he reasoned, he couldn't make money.
And according to "Deconstructing Sammy" (due next month from Amistad/HarperCollins), by journalist Matt Birkbeck, Davis didn't have to die.
After a cancer diagnosis in August 1989, doctors recommended surgery on his throat that offered an 80 percent chance of survival. He opted instead for radiation, which had a slim 30 percent survival rate. Davis made his decision based on his dismal finances. If he couldn't sing, he reasoned, he couldn't make money.
- 8/5/2008
- NYPost.com
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