# Dean Martin

> American singer, actor, comedian and film producer (1917–1995)

**Wikidata**: [Q215359](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q215359)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dean-martin

## Summary
Dean Martin was an American singer, actor, comedian, and film producer, widely recognized for his contributions to entertainment from the 1940s through the 1990s. He was a central figure in mid-20th-century American show business, known for his smooth vocal style, iconic film roles, and his legendary partnership with Jerry Lewis.

## Biography
- Born: June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Educated at Steubenville Centralized High School
- Known for: Pioneering the "cool crooner" persona in music and entertainment; starring in over 100 films
- Employer(s): Capitol Records, Reprise Records, MGM Records, EMI
- Field(s): Music, Film, Television, Live Performance, Comedy

## Contributions
Dean Martin built a multifaceted career that spanned several decades and industries:
- **Singer**: Recorded over 100 albums, including classics like "That's Amore" and "Everybody Loves Somebody," which helped define the traditional pop and easy listening genres.
- **Actor**: Starred in over 100 films, including *Ocean's 11* (1960), *Rio Bravo* (1959), and the *Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts* specials.
- **Comedian**: Part of the iconic "Martin and Lewis" comedy duo with Jerry Lewis, which dominated American comedy and entertainment from 1946 to 1956.
- **Film Producer**: Produced and starred in films such as *The Young Lions* (1958) and *Cattle Empire* (1958), contributing to the development of mid-century American cinema.
- **Television Host**: Hosted *The Dean Martin Show* (1965–1973), a variety show that became a cultural touchstone and featured the famous "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" segments.

## FAQs
**What is Dean Martin most known for?**
Dean Martin is most known for his dual role as a singer and film star, particularly for his work in the "Martin and Lewis" comedy duo and as a leading man in Hollywood musicals and Westerns. He also became a defining figure of the Rat Pack, alongside Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

**What record labels was Dean Martin associated with?**
Dean Martin was associated with Capitol Records, Reprise Records, MGM Records, and EMI, releasing numerous albums and singles that helped shape the American music industry.

**What genres did Dean Martin influence?**
Dean Martin influenced traditional pop music, easy listening, jazz, and country music. His vocal style and film roles helped define the mid-century American entertainment landscape.

**What awards did Dean Martin receive?**
Dean Martin received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contributions to music and entertainment.

**What was Dean Martin's most famous television show?**
Dean Martin's most famous television show was *The Dean Martin Show*, which aired from 1965 to 1973 and featured variety acts, celebrity guests, and the iconic "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" segments.

## Why They Matter
Dean Martin's influence on American entertainment is profound. As a central figure in the "cool" persona of the 1950s and 1960s, he helped redefine the role of the entertainer, blending music, comedy, and charisma into a single, iconic image. His work with Martin and Lewis reshaped American comedy, while his solo career and filmography established him as a cultural icon. His impact extended into television, where his variety show and roasts became cultural events, influencing generations of performers and shaping the modern concept of celebrity.

## Notable For
- Being a founding member of the Rat Pack, a legendary group of entertainers in 1960s Las Vegas
- Co-founding the "Martin and Lewis" comedy duo, one of the most successful in entertainment history
- Recording over 100 albums, including chart-topping hits in traditional pop and easy listening
- Starring in over 100 films, including classics like *Rio Bravo* and *Some Came Running*
- Hosting *The Dean Martin Show*, a long-running variety program that featured the famous "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts"
- Receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to music
- Being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Pioneering the "cool crooner" image that influenced fashion and performance styles in mid-century America

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, was raised in Steubenville, Ohio. He attended Steubenville Centralized High School and began his career in entertainment as a singer in nightclubs, where he developed his signature laid-back vocal style. His early life was marked by a rebellious streak and a passion for performance that would later define his career.

### Career Beginnings
Martin's career began in the 1930s as a solo performer in nightclubs and on stage. He gained early recognition for his vocal talents and natural charisma, which led to his first recording contracts with Capitol Records in the 1940s. His partnership with Jerry Lewis began in 1946, forming the legendary comedy duo "Martin and Lewis," which dominated American entertainment for a decade.

### Rise to Fame
Dean Martin's rise to fame began in the late 1940s when he transitioned from nightclubs to radio and film. He signed with Capitol Records and released hits like "That's Amore" and "Memories Are Made of This," which became signature songs of the era. His film career took off with roles in *The Paleface* (1948) and *Rio Bravo* (1959), establishing him as a major Hollywood star.

### Martin and Lewis
The "Martin and Lewis" partnership was one of the most successful comedy duos in American history. Their collaboration began in Atlantic City and quickly moved to national prominence through radio, film, and live performances. The duo split in 1956, with Martin pursuing a solo career and Lewis continuing in film and television.

### Solo Career and Filmography
After parting with Lewis, Martin focused on a solo career, starring in over 100 films. His filmography includes classics like *Some Came Running* (1958), *The Young Lions* (1958), and *Rio Bravo* (1959). He also starred in Westerns such as *Gunsmoke* and *30,000 Dollars Reward* (1954), showcasing his versatility as a performer.

### Music Career
Dean Martin's music career was prolific. He recorded over 100 albums and worked with major labels including Capitol Records, Reprise Records, MGM Records, and EMI. His music spanned genres such as traditional pop, easy listening, jazz, and country. Notable albums include *Dream with Dean* (1966) and *The Dean Martin Christmas Album* (1966), both of which were commercial successes.

### Television and The Dean Martin Show
Dean Martin's television career peaked with *The Dean Martin Show*, which aired from 1965 to 1973. The show featured variety acts, musical performances, and the iconic "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," which became a cultural phenomenon. The show's success solidified Martin's status as a television icon and influenced the format of variety shows for decades.

### Rat Pack and Cultural Influence
Dean Martin was a founding member of the Rat Pack, a group of entertainers that included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and others. The Rat Pack became synonymous with Las Vegas entertainment in the 1960s, and their influence extended into film, music, and live performance. Martin's role in the group helped define the "cool" persona of the era, influencing fashion, performance, and celebrity culture.

### Awards and Recognition
Dean Martin received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to music and entertainment. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and his legacy continues to influence performers and entertainers today.

### Legacy
Dean Martin's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing music, film, and television. His influence on American entertainment is profound, with his "cool crooner" image becoming a defining figure of mid-century culture. His work with the Rat Pack, Martin and Lewis, and his solo career established him as a cultural icon whose impact continues to resonate in modern entertainment.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Genealogics
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. MusicBrainz
6. SNAC
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14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001509/)
17. BBC Things
18. YouTube Music. YouTube
19. Quora
20. The Movie Database
21. LIBRIS. 2008
22. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
23. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
24. performing-arts.ch
25. Dean Martin - British Comedy Guide. British Comedy Guide