Today we are wishing Dean Martin a very happy birthday on what would have been his 101st birthday. Martin was one of the most popular singers, actors, comedians and entertainers of the twentieth century with a career spanning over 5 decades. His musical hits include: “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “Sway” and “Mambo Italiano” to name a few. He formed the immensely popular comedy duo “Martin and Lewis” with Jerry Lewis with Martin serving as the straight man to Lewis’ slapstick hijinks. Martin went on to become a star of concert stages, night clubs audio recordings, motion pictures and television and was also a member of the legendary “Rat Pack” alongside Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe and Jerry Lewis at the Master’s of ceremony for Redbook, 1953.
Taken from “The Marilyn Encyclopedia” by Adam Victor
“Crooning lead Martin made his name in the 1950’s in a double act with Jerry Lewis, before going on to a solo career in the 1960’s that ranked him with fellow Rat Pack member Frank Sinatra. These films included “The Stooge” (1952), “Pardners” (1956), “Rio Bravo” (1959), “Kiss Me Stupid” and many more.
Martin and Monroe almost worked together on “Some Came Running” (1958). After Marilyn moved back to Los Angeles in 1961, she saw a lot of Martin and his wife Jeanne.
Martin became involved in “Something’s Got To Give” after Marilyn picked him; in some reports he had invested a personal stake in the production. Martin gallantly stood up for his friend after she was dismissed by Twentieth Century-Fox. The studio hired Lee Remick as Marilyn’s replacement, but Martin invoked a clause in his contract allowing him approval of his opposite number, and informed the studio that he would not work with anyone except Marilyn on this picture. Fox sued Martin, Martin sued Fox, and then the picture was put back on track, to no small degree because of Martin’s intransingence and support for Marilyn.”
Monroe and Martin on the set of “Something’s Got To Give.”
Happy birthday Dino!
