Anecdotes

Served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

Brother of child actor Frankie Lee.

Best recalled as the young tyke with the Buster Brown hairstyle who crawled onto Al Jolson's lap while the star sang the best-selling song "Sonny Boy" in the early talking film Le fou chantant (1928). Reunited with Jolson the very next year as the title role in Sonny Boy (1929). He later appeared at conventions of the International Al Jolson Society.

Following his older brother Frankie Lee into films and earning close to $30,000 per week by 1930 after a handful of films, Davey's mother insisted he "retire" from films at age 6 so he could have a normal childhood. In later years he performed in local theatre.

Professionally active in community theater (1998)