Dean Martin

Singer / Actor

Name at birth: Dino Crocetti

Between 1949 and 1956, Dean Martin made 16 films as the singing straight man to his comedy partner Jerry Lewis; the two were one of the hottest entertainment acts of the era. After their bitter (and much-publicized) breakup, Martin continued making movies, including both comedy and dramatic roles and the spoofy Matt Helm spy movies of the 1960s. A nightclub singer and solid member of Frank Sinatra's "rat pack," Martin also had hit records, most notably "That's Amore" and "Everybody Loves Somebody." Martin's easygoing attitude helped make him a hit on television, where he hosted a comedy and variety show from 1965-74.

Extra credit: Martin's son Dean Paul (also known as Dino) was an actor, singer and sometime tennis pro; he died in a California Air National Guard plane crash in 1987.

Martin stars with Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. in our loop on The Rat Pack.

Blog posts mentioning Dean Martin:
The Last of the Rat Pack