Dean Martin Biography

Fast Facts

• Honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009
• Recipient of three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his music, television and film careers
• While gambling in Atlantic City with Frank Sinatra in 1983, the two persuaded a blackjack dealer to deal the hands illegally that resulted in a $25,000 fine by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission which was eventually paid by the crooners
• Before starting a career in show business, he attempted a semi-professional career in wrestling at 15-years-old, eventually going on to achieve a record of 25-11 under the nickname 'Kid Crochet'
• Quote: "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 has never had to stand on their feet all day dealing blackjack․"
• Quote: "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․"
• After making his feature film debut in 1957, he would be introduced to fellow Rat Pack members by new friend Frank Sinatra whom he would perform alongside in Las Vegas
• Made his big break after meeting fellow comic Jerry Lewis in New York in 1946 who would eventually catch the eye of MGM and Columbia Pictures after making their television debut in 1948 on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
• Riding his new success with the Rat Pack from the early '60s, he would transition to television with "The Dean Martin Show" which would run from 1965 to 1974
• Once worked delivering bootleg liquor and later as a casino blackjack dealer
• Spoke only Italian until age 5 when he started kindergarten
• He and his Rat Pack cohorts were banned from Marilyn Monroe's funeral by Joe DiMaggio