The story of love jimmy durante biography

1. Biography of Jimmy Durante
2. Early Life and Career
3. Film and Television Career
4. Philanthropy and Later Years

Biography of Jimmy Durante

Jimmy Durante was an American singer and actor known for his distinctive raspy voice, unique sense of humor, jazz compositions, and prominent nose. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, as the third of four children of Bartolomeo Durante and Rosa Durante, Italian-Americans.

Early Life and Career

For a time, Jimmy served as an altar boy at the "Actor's Chapel," a well-known Catholic church in New York. In eighth grade, he dropped out of school to pursue a career in piano playing. Initially, he performed with his cousin, but it soon became apparent that Durante's talent deserved something more than just a family project.

Jimmy continued to perform in bars around the city until he was able to join one of New York's most famous jazz groups, the "Original New Orleans Jazz Band." Interestingly, Durante was the only member of the group who was not from New Orleans. The band's musical numbers were accompanied by Durante's comedic routines, with the orchestra responding with a distinctive sound after each line, which became one of his signature moves. In 1920, the group was renamed "Jimmy Durante's Jazz Band."

By the mid-1920s, Durante had become a radio and vaudeville star, performing with his best friends, Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson. In 1934, Jimmy released his biggest hit, the song "Inka Dinka Doo," which later became his signature melody. The following year, he played the lead role in Billy Rose's Broadway production "Jumbo." Throughout his career, he made several returns to the stage in productions such as "Show Girl," "Strike Me Pink," and "Red, Hot and Blue."

Film and Television Career

In the early 1930s, Durante began appearing in comedy films, often alongside legendary silent film actor Buster Keaton. Some of his most successful works include "The Wet Parade" (1932), "Broadway to Hollywood" (1933), "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1942), "Ziegfeld Follies" (1946), "Billy Rose's Jumbo" (1962), and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963).

Durante made his television debut on November 1, 1950, in the premiere episode of "The Big Show." The show also featured comedian Fred Allen, singers Mindy Carson and Frankie Laine, Broadway star Ethel Merman, and actors Jose Ferrer, Paul Lukas, and the then relatively unknown but promising comedian Danny Thomas.

Around the same time, Jimmy met Sonny King, who became his frequent partner, and their fruitful collaboration continued until Durante's death.

Philanthropy and Later Years

Durante was not only known for his acting career but also dedicated much of his time and effort to charitable projects, particularly those supporting sick and needy children.

In 1972, Durante suffered a stroke and spent his final years confined to a wheelchair. However, he passed away eight years later from pneumonia. Jimmy died in Santa Monica, California, and was laid to rest at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.