Who was Dean Martin?
A: Dean Martin was an American singer, actor and comedian.
He was one of the most popular and enduring American
entertainers of what period?
A: The mid-20th century.
What was Martin nicknamed?
A: "The King of Cool".
Martin gained his career breakthrough together with
whom?
A: Comedian Jerry Lewis, billed as Martin and Lewis, in 1946.
They performed in nightclubs and later had numerous
appearances on what?
A: Radio, television and in films.
Following an acrimonious ending of the partnership in 1956, Martin pursued what?
A: A solo career as a performer and actor.
Martin established himself as a what?
A: A singer, recording numerous contemporary songs as well as standards from
the Great American Songbook.
Where did he become one of the most popular acts?
A: In Las Vegas.
He was known for his friendship with what fellow
artists?
A: Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
He, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. together with
several others formed what?
A: The Rat Pack.
Starting in 1965, Martin was the host of what
television variety program?
A: The Dean Martin Show.
What did the show center on?
A: Martin's singing and comedic talents and was characterized by his
relaxed, easy-going demeanor.
From 1974 to 1984, he was roastmaster on what?
A: The popular Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, which drew celebrities,
comedians and politicians.
Throughout his career, Martin performed in what?
A: Concert stages, nightclubs, audio recordings, TV, and films.
He appeared in how many film and television
productions?
A: 85.
What were his best known songs?
A: "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" "Memories Are Made of This", "That's
Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You",
"Sway", and "Volare".
What was Martin’s birth name?
A: He was born Dino Paul Crocetti.
When was he born?
A: On June 7, 1917.
Where was he born?
A: In Steubenville, Ohio.
His first language was what?
A: Italian and he did not speak English until he started school at the age
of five.
He attended what elementary school?
A: Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, where he was bullied for his
broken English.
As a teenager, he played what as a hobby?
A: The drums.
Why did he drop out of Steubenville High School in the
tenth grade?
A: Because, according to Martin, he thought he was smarter than his
teachers.
He bootlegged liquor, worked in a steel mill, served as
a croupier at a speakeasy and a blackjack dealer, and was a what?
A: A welterweight boxer.
Of his 12 bouts, he said that he what?
A: "Won all but 11".
Martin gave up boxing to work as a what?
A: A roulette stickman and croupier in an illegal casino behind a tobacco
shop, where he had started as a stock boy.
At the same time, he sang with local bands, calling
himself what?
A: "Dino Martini" (after the Metropolitan Opera tenor Nino Martini).
By late 1940 he had begun singing for Cleveland
bandleader Sammy Watkins, who suggested what?
A: That he change his name to Dean Martin.