The Swedish-born actress May Britt passed away at the age of 91, bringing to a close a life that connected European cinema with Hollywood during a time of cultural transformation. Her son, Mark Davis, confirmed that she died of natural causes on December 11 at a medical center in Los Angeles. Born Maj-Britt Wilkens on March 22, 1934, in Lidingö, Sweden, she grew up far removed from the international attention she would later receive. Acting was not an early ambition, and her path into film emerged through unexpected opportunity rather than deliberate pursuit.
Her career began in Europe in the early 1950s after she was discovered while working in photography. She was cast in several Italian adventure and drama films, which helped establish her presence in European cinema. A major turning point came with her role in a large-scale adaptation of War and Peace, directed by King Vidor and featuring a prominent international cast. That performance led to a Hollywood contract and a move to the United States, where she appeared alongside well-known actors and became recognized as a rising talent of the era.
In 1959, she took on a leading role in a remake of The Blue Angel, a film long associated with an earlier generation of cinema. Around the same period, her work and image received national attention, reflecting Hollywood’s growing interest in international performers. Her personal life also drew public notice following her marriage to entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in 1960, during a socially charged period in the United States. Despite facing external pressure and professional challenges, she later spoke openly about her decisions, emphasizing the importance of personal values and independence.
After her divorce in the late 1960s, she gradually reduced her presence in major film productions, later appearing in select television and independent projects before retiring from acting altogether. In her later years, she focused on painting, family, and a quieter life in California. She remarried in 1993 and remained largely private. Survived by her children, grandchildren, and sister, she is remembered not only for her work on screen but also for navigating a complex career and personal life with resilience and dignity.
