Sammy Davis, Jr. - 3-20-10

In 1976 I was 21 and lived in Las Vegas for a few months while working in a short-lived revue show at the Sahara Hotel. Week after week I lost my earnings gambling. I learned my lesson and gave up the habit forever. For years thereafter, whenever working in a gaming venue, if possible, I'd avoid walking through the casino and enter and exit directly from the back of theater.

In 1985, after finishing a performance at Tropicana in Atlantic City, the cast went gambling and I made an exception and tagged along. I didn't bet, but every person I stood next to lost. In 1988 I found myself working at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe. Sammy Davis, Jr. was a friend of our producer. Davis attended our show, after the performance he asked a few cast members out for a late night snack.

As we walked through the casino to get to the restaurant I told everyone what I've just told you. There was a roulette table, Sammy said, "I'm going to prove to you right now that you're not a jinx." I stood next to him breathless with worry, and watched as he racked up $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 - in wins, not losses. Then he said, "Let's go eat."

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