Martin, Dean (1917-1995), was an American singer and motion-picture actor known for his casual performing style and his full baritone singing voice. He first gained fame as the straight man and singer with comedian Jerry Lewis. After the team broke up, Martin went on to an enormously successful solo career.
Martin was born on June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio. His real name was Dino Crocetti. He was a small-time nightclub singer until he met Jerry Lewis in an Atlantic City club in 1946. They formed a partnership that developed into one of the most popular in show business history. Martin and Lewis became stars of nightclubs, television, and motion pictures. Martin performed in his informal style, while Lewis played his zany comic sidekick. The team made 16 motion pictures, beginning with My Friend Irma (1949), before they broke up in 1956.
Martin continued his career as a headliner in nightclubs, especially in Las Vegas, and as the star of many television shows. His hit songs included “That’s Amore” (1953), “Memories Are Made of This” (1955), and “Everybody Loves Somebody” (1964). He starred in about 50 motion pictures, including dramas, Westerns, and musicals. His major movies include The Young Lions (1958), Rio Bravo (1959), Bells Are Ringing (1960), Toys in the Attic (1963), Kiss Me Stupid (1964), The Silencers (1966), and Airport (1969). From 1965 to 1974, Martin was the host of a popular television comedy variety show. For many years, Martin belonged to an informal group of show business stars called the Rat Pack that included Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Martin died on Dec. 25, 1995.
