Entertainment Studios Acquires Rights To Sammy Davis Jr.'s Life Story

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Entertainment Studios Inc. announced Thursday that it has acquired the rights to the life of legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.

The company, which currently offers six high-definition cable channels, plans to create a Broadway play and a major motion picture around the life of Davis, who would have turned 86 today. Davis died in 1990.

Entertainment Studios is working with Davis' daughter, Tracey Davis, on the projects, according to company officials.
"Sammy Davis, Jr. was a phenomenal entertainer, icon, and American treasure whose inspirational story has to be told," said Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Entertainment Studios in a statement. "We are excited to bring his life story to both the stage and the big screen."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.