Dino Paul Crocetti
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, started as a boxer and steelworker before teaming with Jerry Lewis in 1946. They made 16 films together before Martin launched a solo career, winning acclaim for The Young Lions 1958 and Rio Bravo 1959. He became a core Rat Pack member, recorded the #1 hit ‘Everybody Loves Somebody’ in 1964, and hosted The Dean Martin Show from 1965 to 1973. Despite a heavy-drinking stage persona, he was a devoted family man and golfer. Martin died of lung cancer on Christmas Day 1995 at age 78.
Dean Martin by the numbers — life, work, and family.
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Dean Martin — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Dino Paul Crocetti — born June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Italian immigrant barber Gaetano Crocetti and Ohio-born Angela Barra — spoke only Italian until age five. He boxed as Kid Crochet, winning 25 of 36 bouts, and worked as a steel mill worker, gas station attendant, and casino croupier. Those early hustles from Steubenville’s gambling dens shaped his cool, resilient persona.
In 1946, Martin teamed with Jerry Lewis, and their comedy act led to 16 films together, including At War with the Army 1950 and Artists and Models 1955. After the duo split in 1956, critics predicted Martin’s decline. He proved them wrong with dramatic roles in The Young Lions 1958 opposite Marlon Brando and Some Came Running 1958 with Frank Sinatra. Rio Bravo 1959 brought international fame, and he joined the Rat Pack for Ocean’s Eleven 1960. In 1964, he recorded his signature hit Everybody Loves Somebody, which reached #1 and became the theme for The Dean Martin Show 1965-1973. The show won a Golden Globe in 1965 and later evolved into The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. Martin also starred in the Matt Helm spy series and Airport 1970.
Martin married three times: to Elizabeth Anne McDonald 1941-1949, with whom he had four children including Deana Martin; to Jeanne Martin 1949-1973, with whom he had three children including Dean Paul Martin; and to Catherine Hawn 1973-1976. He had a total of eight children. The death of his son Dean Paul in a 1987 plane crash devastated him, leading him to cancel a Rat Pack reunion tour. His onstage persona suggested heavy drinking, but he actually preferred apple juice and was a golf enthusiast. He and ex-wife Jeanne remained friends after their divorce. A lifelong Republican, he supported John F. Kennedy in 1960 as a gesture of Rat Pack unity. He reconciled with Jerry Lewis in 1976 after a 20-year estrangement.
Dean Martin earned three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for motion pictures, television, and recording. Rio Bravo 1959 was selected for the National Film Registry. His hit Everybody Loves Somebody became a Rat Pack anthem. The Dean Martin Show set a standard for variety television with its relaxed style and celebrity roasts. Martin died on Christmas Day 1995, exactly 29 years after his mother’s death.
Browse the complete filmography of Dean Martin — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
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Every award, honor, and recognition received by Dean Martin — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Dean Martin — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
If People Want to Think I Get Drunk and Stay Out All Night, Let ‘Em. That’s How I Got Here, You Know.
I’ve Got Seven Kids. the Three Words You Hear Most Around My House Are Hello, Goodbye and I’m Pregnant.
I Drink Because My Body Craves, Needs Alcohol. I Don’t Drink, My Body’s a Drunk.
I Can’t Stand an Actor or Actress Who Tells Me Acting Is Hard Work. It’s Easy Work. Anyone Who Says It Isn’t Never Had to Stand on His Feet All Day Dealing Blackjack.
Motivation Is a Lotta Crap.
The Whole World Is Drunk and We’re Just the Cocktail of the Moment. Someday Soon, the World Will Wake Up, Down Two Aspirin with a Glass of Tomato Juice, and Wonder What the Hell All the Fuss Was All About.
You’re Not Drunk If You Can Lie on the Floor Without Holding On.
If You Drink Don’t Drive. Don’t Even Putt.
I’d Hate to Be a Teetotaler. Imagine Getting up in the Morning and Knowing That’s as Good as You’re Going to Feel All Day.
I Feel Sorry for People Who Don’t Drink. When They Wake up in the Morning, That’s as Good as They’re Going to Feel All Day.
Little-known facts about Dean Martin — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
Distraught over the murder of his The Wrecking Crew 1968 co-star Sharon Tate on August 9, 1969, Martin abandoned the next Matt Helm film, The Ravagers, and never played the character again.
Rumors that Martin’s onstage booze was apple juice were confirmed by his son Dean Paul Martin after the variety show ended.
He and other Rat Pack members were banned from Marilyn Monroe’s funeral by Joe DiMaggio.
Described his boxing career: I won all but 11 fights. When asked how many he fought, he said A dozen. He actually fought 36 bouts, winning 25 under the name Dino Crocetti.
He and Frank Sinatra were best friends; they reconciled a few months before Martin’s death over dinner and a bread roll fight.
Martin and former wife Jeanne Martin remained friends after divorce; she encouraged him not to fear death, seeing it as a reunion with their son and parents.
One of few actors with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for motion pictures at 6519 Hollywood Blvd, television at 6651 Hollywood Blvd, and recording at 1617 Vine St.
His variety show contract required minimal participation; he performed better cold and often flubbed lines deliberately, delighting audiences.
His son Dean Paul Martin died in a plane crash on March 21, 1987.
Had a fear of elevators and a love of comic books throughout his life.
Did not party all night with the Rat Pack; he went to bed early to play golf, and once said he would have preferred to be a professional golfer.
His singing style was initially influenced by Harry Mills of The Mills Brothers.
Everybody Loves Somebody is etched on his tombstone.
Underwent rhinoplasty at age 27.
After lung cancer diagnosis in 1993, he quit smoking and performed briefly at his 77th birthday celebration in 1994, but declined surgery and died on Christmas 1995.
Despite his onstage drinking act, he used apple juice; off stage he was a Jack Daniels man.
Once employed as a steelworker.
Friends described him as easygoing, good-natured, loving to laugh, but also quiet and often alone.
In 1962, he left Capitol Records for Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label; in 1964, Everybody Loves Somebody beat The Beatles to become #1.
In 1954, he and Jerry Lewis recorded a bootleg radio spot with profanity that became a collector’s item.
Sent a telegram to Elvis Presley in June 1964: Dear Elvis, if you can’t handle The Beatles, I’ll do it for us.
When 20th Century-Fox fired Marilyn Monroe from Something’s Got to Give 1962, Martin refused to continue without her, leading to her rehiring.
Although a Republican, he supported Frank Sinatra’s campaign for John F. Kennedy in 1960.
Only three of his almost 40 Hot 100 singles went to #1: ‘That’s Amore’ 1953, Memories Are Made of This 1956, and Everybody Loves Somebody 1964.
He spoke only Italian until age five.
After splitting with Jerry Lewis, he was expected to fail but became a durable box-office draw and TV star.
Despite rumors of animosity, he and Jerry Lewis were close friends until outsiders poisoned their relationship; they reconciled in 1976.
Drafted into the Army in 1944, served stateside in Akron, Ohio, and was classified 4-F before discharge.
Has a street named after him in San Antonio, Texas.
Suffered from emphysema for the last 20 years of his life.
Died on Christmas Day 1995, exactly 29 years after his mother Angela’s death in 1966.
Hosted Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts from 1973-84, featuring legends like Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
Childhood friends with gambler Jimmy The Greek Snyder in Steubenville; they appeared together in The Cannonball Run 1981.
One film in the National Film Registry: Rio Bravo 1959.
Suffered from depression and was treated for prostate cancer.
Jerry Lewis cut the heels off his shoes to appear shorter in their act despite being the same height.
Godfather of Tori Spelling.
Son-in-law was Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys, married to daughter Gina.
Had eight children: Stephen Craig, Claudia, Barbara, Deana, Dean Paul, Ricci, Gina, and adopted daughter Sasha.
Father-in-law of Carole Costello, daughter of Lou Costello.
Had a nightclub called Dino’s in North Bay Village, Florida.
At age 16, he was a welterweight boxer with a 25-11 record.
Awarded three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Made 17 feature films with Jerry Lewis.
Television career began with The Martin & Lewis Show on The Colgate Comedy Hour 1950-1955.
Lifelong Republican but supported Kennedy in 1960 for Rat Pack unity.
Member of the Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop.
His singing voice deteriorated after the mid-1970s due to chain smoking, but he performed until 1991, often needing oxygen.
Official height listed as 5’11, but he likely wore lifts; real height was around 5’8 or 5’9.
Chain smoker from age 16 until age 76, despite COPD symptoms by his early sixties.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Dean Martin.
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