Don Ameche Biography

Fast Facts

• Studied law in college, but dropped out to join a stock company
• Began his radio career in 1930 on Empire Builders
• Starred in the radio program Betty and Bob, which many consider to be one of the first soap operas
• Played the title character in The Story of Alexander Graham Bell, which prompted many in Hollywood to joke that he had invented the telephone and to use the phrase "You're wanted on the Ameche" to indicate someone had a phone call
• Performed many of his own stunts in the 1985 movie Cocoon, despite being 77 years old
• Was separated from his wife for over 19 years at the time of her death, but being Catholic, neither considered divorce an option
• Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992
• Completed work on the 1994 film Corinna, Corinna just weeks before his death