Altovise Davis was the third wife and widow of the late Sammy Davis, Jr. An American theater and television actress, she and Davis adopted a son shortly before his death in 1990, just five days after their twentieth wedding anniversary. Altovise Davis died on March 14, 2009, at Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills, California, from complications due to a stroke. She was 65 years old and is survived by her son.The Chicago Tribune: Sammy Davis Jr.'s widow, dancer and actress Altovise Joanne (March 15, 2009)

Following the death of her husband, Sammy Davis, Jr., Altovise Davis was faced not only with grieving and raising their recently adopted son Manny alone, but also with debt to the IRS that totaled almost $5 million dollars. Although reports of drug use abounded following his death, her real problem was with alcohol.People.com: Without Her Sweet Candy Man, Altovise Davis Bares... (October 1, 1990) She eventually hit bottom, and went to a rehabilitation clinic in Pennsylvania to dry out.The Los Angeles Times: Altovise Davis dies at 65; widow of Sammy Davis Jr. (March 15, 2009)

After years of setting things in order with both his monetary and personal estate, Altovise Davis was finally able to pay homage to her late husband properly by launching Mr. Bojangles, The Ultimate Entertainer, which premiered on February 22, 2006. The show, which featured two actors, one to take Sammy Davis, Jr's. high songs and one for his lows, was named after the song Altiovise Davis feels her late husband would appreciate because it represented that he was a survivor.Broadway World.com: The Legacy of Broadway's 'Golden Boy' Sammy Davis... (February 18, 2006)