Danny Kaye Biography

Fast Facts

• Also known for his charitable work with the non-profit organization UNICEF, for which he was the first Goodwill Ambassador
• Traveled overseas to entertain troops during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and toured the world with Israel's youth symphony
• Won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1982 for his extensive humanitarian work
• Learned most show business trade secrets as a teenager while working in the Catskills as an entertainer for various resorts
• Made his screen acting debut in the short film "Moon Over Manhattan" in 1935
• Quote: "Children are the world's most valuable natural resource․ All you have to do is hold out a hand and embrace a child and you will have a lifelong ally․"
• Best known as the host of "The Danny Kaye Show" and for his role as Hubert Hawkins in "The Court Jester․"
• After several years of short-lived jobs, he finally struck it big after being cast in the Broadway hit, Lady in the Dark, in 1941
• Was considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the original 1971 version of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory․"
• Was an avid golfer, licensed aviator, chef and baseball fan