Jimmy Durante

Speak Easily (1932) 1

Durante-Moore Show

Jimmy durante 1935

Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Trailer22

Jimmy & Margaret Durante's grave

Jimmy Durante graumans

Jimmy Durante (February 10, 1893 – January 29, 1980) was an American singer, pianist, comedian, and actor, whose distinctive gravelly speech, Lower East Side accent, comic language butchery, jazz-influenced songs, and large nose helped make him one of America's most familiar and popular personalities of the 1920s through the 1970s. He was known as "The Schnozzola" (a reference to his nose), and his catchphrase was "Inka Dinka Doo," a song that he also made popular.

Early Life

Jimmy Durante was born in Lower East Side, New York City, to Rosa (Lentino) and Bartolomeo Durante, both of whom were immigrants from Salerno, Italy. Durante dropped out of school in the seventh grade to become a full-time ragtime pianist. He first started playing at a Coney Island cafe, eventually joining the Original New Orleans Jazz Band, one of the first white jazz bands. In the early 1920s, he formed Jimmy Durante's Jazz Band.

Career

Durante's career took off when he teamed up with Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson to form the trio Clayton, Jackson, and Durante. They became a hit on the vaudeville circuit, and this success led to Broadway shows and eventually to films. Durante was a versatile performer; his act included comedy, songs, and piano playing. His raspy voice and exaggerated New York accent, along with his humorous mangling of the English language, became his trademarks.

In the 1930s, Durante starred in several Hollywood films and became a familiar face to movie audiences. In addition to his film work, he was also a popular radio personality, hosting his own show, which featured his catchphrase "Inka Dinka Doo." Durante's television career included appearances on various shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including his own variety show, The Jimmy Durante Show.

Durante was also known for his charitable work, particularly for children with disabilities. He was a key supporter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles' efforts to control and cure polio, leading to the establishment of the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund.

Personal Life

Durante was married twice. His first wife was Jeanne Olsen, with whom he had a daughter, CeCe Durante-Bloum. After Olsen's death, he married Marjorie Little after a 16-year courtship. Durante was a devout Roman Catholic and was known for his generosity and kind heart.

Legacy

Jimmy Durante's legacy lives on through his contributions to music, film, and television. His distinctive voice and comedic style have made him an enduring figure in American entertainment. The phrase "Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are," which he used to sign off his radio and television shows, remains one of his most enduring legacies, though the identity of Mrs. Calabash has never been definitively explained.

Durante's work has been recognized with several awards and honors, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry.

Filmography

Durante's film career spanned several decades and included notable films such as The Phantom President (1932), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and Frosty the Snowman (1969), where he served as the narrator.

Discography

Durante recorded numerous songs throughout his career, including his signature song "Inka Dinka Doo," "September Song," and "Smile."