Dean Martin

June 7th, 1917 - December 25th, 1995

“Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime”

Biography


Dean Martin wasn't called the 'king of cool' for nothing. His charisma and stage presence were like no other, making him one of the most popular singers of the 20th century. He was a member of the Rat Pack, an actor, a television host, comedian and star of the concert stage. Martin was married three times and had seven children.

Dean Martin was born in 1917 in Steubenville, Ohio. Born to Catholic parents, his father Gaetano was Italian born and his mother Angela, Italian-American. His upbringing was storied and would inform much of his later work. Martin was a high school dropout: believing himself to be smarter than his teachers but also due to being bullied for his heavy Italian accent. At the age of 15 Martin began boxing and is said to have won 11 out of his 12 matches. His rugged good looks were likely a result of the bare-knuckle boxing rounds he held in his apartment with Sonny King. During this time Martin also worked as a bootlegger, dealer and stock boy in an illegal casino and eventually, a bit performer in local nightclubs.

During much of the 1940s, Martin was a relatively unknown nightclub singer, once opening for Frank Sinatra but flopping nonetheless. Martin met Jerry Lewis in 1946 and their friendship would eventually lead them both to their own television series. Martin and Lewis eventually parted ways and Martin began starring in television shows movies on his own. His big breaks were on the drama “The Young Lions” and in the movie “Some Came Running”. Martin starred in more than 60 movies, had a long running variety show on NBC and recorded more than 100 albums. His most iconic roll was likely in the Rat Pack: a singing/comedy foursome with Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis Jr.

In 1993 Dean Martin was diagnosed with lung cancer. He passed away by December 1995. Martin died at home surrounded by family and loved ones at the age of 78. “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” is engraved on his tombstone.

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Family

About

Name Dean Martin
Date of Birth June 7th, 1917
Date of Death December 25th, 1995
Home Town Steubenville, OH, US 
Other City Los Angeles, CA, US 
Favourite Saying “I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day.”
Cemetery

Memorial

Cemetery Westwood Memorial Park
Address Ashton Avenue
Los Angeles California 90024
US
Location Sanctuary of Love, left side
Geolocation 45.5364609, -73.6496819
Milestone

Milestones

1917 Born in Stuebenville
1932 Drops out of high school
1932 Starts boxing
1941 Marries Elizabeth ("Betty") Anne McDonald and has 4 children with her
1944 Drafted into the United States Army and serves a year in Ohio, eventually being discharged for medical reasons
1946 Meets Jerry Lewis and they begin a television and radio duo
1949 Divorces Elizabeth
1949 Marries second wife Jeanne Biegger
1953 Records the song "That's Amore". It is a hit
1957 Begins his role in the drama "The Young Lions"
1958 Forms the Rat Pack. They become famous for not only their music but for refusing to play clubs that had segregationist policies
1965 Launches "The Dean Martin Show" on NBC.
1973 Divorces second wife Jeanne Biegger
1974 "The Dean Martin Show" comes to a close
1975 Martin's last movie role in "Mr. Ricco"
1987 Martin's son, Dean Paul Martin dies while flying a fighter jet
1993 Diagnosed with lung cancer
1995 Dies in his home from complications related to his cancer

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Diana Lee published a tribute .

Oh my Boss and my friend! Six wonderful years in the 60’s I was honored to be a Dean’s Girl and a member of your 8 voice backup group. What awesome memories I have of those years. Thank you for ALWAYS being the consummate pro, and for telling me I walk like a proud racehorse.

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