Tony Bennett

Birth Name:

Anthony Dominick Benedetto

Birth Place:

Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Producer

Founded the organization Exploring the Arts in 1999 in an effort to increase arts programs in public schools
Presented with the 2006 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Humanitarian Award
Received a 2005 Kennedy Center Honor
Received the 2017 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
Began singing professionaly at 13 as a singing waiter across New York City
Quote: "I've never worked a day in my life because I have a passion to sing and paint․ The whole idea is to keep improving all the time, because you're only as good as your next show․"
Quote: "Life is a gift, and it's a blessing to just be alive․ And each person should learn what a gift it is to be alive no matter how tough things get․"
Integrated jazz-style phrasing into his singing and imitated instrumental solos with his voice
Took early musical inspiration from James Durante, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby
Became one the oldest living artists to top the Billboard 200 chart with the "Duets II" album at 85 years old
Had painted works on display in multiple public institutions under the name Anthony Benedetto
Participated in the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches with Dr․ Martin Luther King, Jr

Fast Facts