Dean Martin

Dean Martin Mural in Steubenville

Lewis and Martin

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Dean Martin Jerry Lewis 1955 Colgate Comedy Hour

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John Wayne and Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson in 'Rio Bravo', 1959

Howard Hawks'Rio Bravo trailer (29)

Dean Martin (June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor, and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool" for his seemingly effortless charisma and self-assurance. He and Jerry Lewis formed the immensely popular comedy duo Martin and Lewis, before Martin went on to a successful solo career as a singer and actor in films and television.

Early Life

Dean Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, to Italian immigrants Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti and Angela Crocetti (née Barra). He spoke only Italian until he started school at the age of five. Martin left school in the 10th grade because he thought he was smarter than his teachers. He worked various odd jobs, including as a boxer and a casino croupier, before starting his career in show business.

Career

Martin and Lewis

Martin's show business career began in the late 1930s when he became a crooner with local bands. He met comedian Jerry Lewis at the Glass Hat Club in New York City in 1945. They formed a fast friendship and a comedy duo, Martin and Lewis, which performed in nightclubs, on radio, and in television and films. The duo was known for their slapstick humor and musical numbers, becoming one of the most popular acts in the country before their breakup in 1956.

Solo Career

After the split with Lewis, Martin established himself as a top singer and actor. He was a member of the Rat Pack, alongside Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, which was famous for its Las Vegas nightclub performances. As a solo artist, Martin recorded numerous hit songs, including "That's Amore," "Volare," and "Everybody Loves Somebody." He starred in films such as Rio Bravo (1959), Ocean's 11 (1960), and The Dean Martin Show on television from 1965 to 1974.

Personal Life

Martin was married three times and had eight children. His relaxed, warbling crooning voice and charismatic persona made him a heartthrob in his heyday. Despite his on-stage persona, Martin was known to be a private man who enjoyed golf and spending time with his family.

Death

Dean Martin died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema at his Beverly Hills home on Christmas Day, 1995, at the age of 78. He left behind a legacy as a cornerstone of American entertainment, remembered for his smooth voice, comedic timing, and effortless cool.

Legacy

Dean Martin's influence on American entertainment is significant. He helped to define the mid-20th century American male cool, which has been emulated by countless entertainers. In 1996, he was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Martin's recordings and films continue to be popular, and he is considered an icon of American music and comedy.

Dean Martin Resources
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