Who is May Britt? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: May Britt Wilkens

Age: 90 Years, 90 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Edwin J. Gregson (m. 1958–1959), Lennart Ringquist (m. 1993–2017), Sammy Davis Jr. (m. 1960–1968)

father: Hugo Wilkens

children: Jeff Davis, Mark Davis, Tracey Davis

Born Country: Sweden

Actresses Swedish Women

Recommended For You

1

What are some popular films starring May Britt?

Some popular films starring May Britt include "The Young Lions" (1958) and "The Blue Angel" (1959).
2

Did May Britt have any notable collaborations with famous directors?

Yes, May Britt worked with director Roger Corman on the film "The Wasp Woman" (1959).
3

Was May Britt known for her work in theater as well?

Yes, May Britt was also recognized for her performances in various stage productions, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
4

Did May Britt have a signature style or fashion influence?

May Britt was known for her elegant and sophisticated fashion sense, often setting trends with her classic and timeless style.
5

How did May Britt contribute to the entertainment industry beyond acting?

In addition to acting, May Britt was involved in various philanthropic endeavors, using her platform to raise awareness on important social issues.

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Childhood & Early Life

Britt was born on March 22, 1934, in Lidingö, Stockholm County, Sweden, to Ernst Hugo Brigg-Wilkens, a postal clerk, and his wife, Hillevi Adela Valentina Wilkens. She has a younger sister, Margot.

During her teenage years, Britt began working as a photographer’s laboratory assistant in her native Stockholm suburb. Italian producer Carlo Ponti and director Mario Soldati needed a blonde girl for their next movie. Thus, they visited the photographer’s studio in search of pictures of models. Instead, they selected Britt for the role. She thus moved to Rome with her mother.

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Career

Britt made her film debut in 1952, with the film ‘Yolanda/Jolanda, the Daughter of the Black Corsair.’ Some references record ‘Le Infideli / The Unfaithful’ as her debut film. The two initial movies were followed by several Italian films, which were released during the early 1950s. Most of these were ‘Cinecittá Productions’ films, such as ‘Fatal Desire,’ ‘La Lupa’ (1953), ‘The Ship of Condemned Women’ (1953), ‘L’ultimo amante’ (1955), and ‘Revelation’ (1955).

In 1956, Britt appeared as ‘Sonia Restova’ in her first English-language movie, the American–Italian war epic ‘War and Peace.’ During the latter part of the 1950s, she moved to Hollywood and signed a contract with ‘20th Century Fox.’ She starred as a leading lady in several of their productions, such as the World War II film ‘The Young Lions’ (1958, with Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift), another war movie named ‘The Hunters’ (1958, with Robert Wagner and Robert Mitchum), and the gangster film ‘Murder, Inc.’ (1960, with Stuart Whitman and Henry Morgan).

Britt starred in the 1959 remake of ‘The Blue Angel,’ in which she portrayed ‘Lola-Lola,’ a character essayed by Marlene Dietrich in the 1930 original. She faced a lot of criticism for her audacity to step into the legendary actor’s shoes. Later, in 1959, she refused an offer to work in ‘The Seven Thieves.’ The role then went to Joan Collins.

Reportedly, after her marriage to Sammy Davis Jr., her contract with ‘20th Century Fox’ was terminated. She quit her career to focus on her family and children.

In 1976, she was cast in the role of ‘Ingrid’ in the horror movie ‘Haunts.’ Britt made a few guest appearances in TV series such as ‘Mission Impossible’ (1969), ‘The Partners’ (1971), and ‘Probe’ (1988).

Family & Personal Life

In 1957, Britt met Edwin Gregson, who was then a student, at a party organized by his father. The two dated for a while before getting married on February 22, 1958, in Tijuana, Mexico. After 19 months of marriage, she filed for divorce in September 1959.

She began dating entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in 1959. Both Britt and Davis faced a lot of criticism and insults for planning an interracial marriage, which was still illegal in 31 states at that time. Her divorce from Gregson was finalized in September 1960. She began taking religious instructions in Judaism from Davis’s rabbi.

Allegedly, presidential candidate John F Kennedy had conveyed a message (through Frank Sinatra) to Davis to postpone the controversial wedding until after the 1960 presidential elections. On November 13, 1960, Britt and Davis were married at his Hollywood home by Rabbi William Kramer. After their wedding, their invitation to the US president’s inaugural function was canceled. Their daughter, Tracey Davis, was born on July 5, 1961. Later the couple adopted two sons, Mark Sidney Davis and Jeff Davis.

Britt and Davis divorced in 1968 (allegedly, over his infidelity). Following this, she worked in some TV series and learned to paint. On May 20, 1993, she married Lennart Ringquist. The two remained married till his death in January 2017.

Facts About May Britt

May Britt was a talented actress who gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s for her work in Hollywood films.

She was known for her striking beauty and elegance, captivating audiences with her on-screen presence.

In addition to her acting career, May Britt was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes throughout her life.

May Britt was fluent in multiple languages, adding to her versatility as an actress and allowing her to work internationally.

She was a fashion icon of her time, known for her impeccable sense of style and always making a statement on the red carpet.

May Britt Biography

You wanted to know

What are some popular films starring May Britt?

Did May Britt have any notable collaborations with famous directors?

Was May Britt known for her work in theater as well?

Did May Britt have a signature style or fashion influence?

How did May Britt contribute to the entertainment industry beyond acting?