Kim Novak Opens Up on Her Relationship with Sammy Davis Jr., Says Marriage Was Never on Her Mind

At 91, Hollywood legend Kim Novak is setting the record straight on her 1950s romance with Sammy Davis Jr., as a new film plans to portray their story. Speaking through her longtime manager, Sue Cameron, Novak reveals that while her relationship with Davis was founded on mutual respect and shared ideals, she “never wanted to marry him or anyone” at that time.

The highly anticipated film Scandalous, directed by Colman Domingo, is set to star Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson as the iconic pair. However, Novak is cautious about how their story is told, as Cameron points out that unauthorized projects have historically misrepresented the relationship. “This was a romance rooted in shared values, love, and a vision of challenging racial barriers,” Cameron shared with PEOPLE.

In the late ’50s, Novak and Davis’s relationship shocked Hollywood and faced harsh opposition due to the taboo around interracial relationships. When a columnist falsely claimed the two planned to marry, Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn reportedly reacted by threatening Davis, leading the couple to part ways.

Novak has since retreated from Hollywood, living a private life devoted to painting and caring for her horses in Oregon. Despite her low profile, Novak’s legacy endures, and she and Cameron are now developing their own documentary to offer a “truthful, accurate” account of her life, directed by Alexandre Philippe. “It has always been my dream to share Kim’s true story,” says Cameron, emphasizing that Novak’s voice will guide the narrative.