Born As: Dino Paul Crocetti Date of Birth: June 17, 1917 Place of Birth: Steubenville, Ohio, USA Date of Death: December 25, 1995 Place of Death: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
Although he had almost 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts between 1951 and 1968, only three went to number one: "That's Amore" (Capitol: 1953), "Memories Are Made of This" (Capitol: 1956), and his theme song, "Everybody Loves Somebody" (Reprise: 1964).
When 20th Century-Fox fired Marilyn Monroe as his co-star in "Something's Got to Give" and then attempted to replace her with Lee Remick, he reminded the studio that he had contractual approval of his co-star, and refused to continue the project without Monroe. His act of loyalty eventually got Marilyn re-hired, but she died of a drug overdose before shooting on this never-finished film could resume.
Father of Ricci Martin.
His style of singing was initially influenced by Harry Mills of The Mills Brothers.
He and former wife Jeanne Martin maintained a friendship after their divorce, and consulted each other on family matters. When his health declined, Jeanne encouraged him not to worry about facing death, and to look at it as the chance he longed for, to be reunited with their son Dean Paul Martin, and with his parents.
While he always played affable and easygoing, offstage he was usually quiet and reserved; friends noted the contrast.
He and Frank Sinatra were best friends, a fact he held very dear to his heart. The two didn't speak much, in the years after Dean quit the "Rat Pack Reunion" tour, but they did reconcile a few months before his death, over dinner - and a breadroll fight.
Starred (with Jerry Lewis) on NBC Radio's "The Martin and Lewis Show" (1949-1953).
"Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" - words written on his tombstone, after his signature hit.
Has a street named after him in San Antonio, Texas.
