Dean Martin, actor, singer, drinker, dies
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dean Martin, the singer, actor and Hollywood "Rat Pack" reveller, died at his Beverly Hills home yesterday, aged 78. His long-time agent and friend Mort Viner said the entertainer, whose career was inextricably linked with his theme song "Little Old Wine Drinker Me'', died of respiratory failure.
Martin, perhaps best remembered for his film and stage partnership with the comedian Jerry Lewis, broke up the duo in 1957. He wasn't expected to succeed after that.
In fact he became a much bigger star than he had been as straight man and singer, beginning with the 1958 war drama The Young Lions, which also starred Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando.
With stardom came membership of the Rat Pack, the Hollywood boys' club that included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Peter Lawford, with John F Kennedy, Lawford's brother-in-law, an honorary member. Martin cited the two greatest turning points in his career as: "First, meeting Jerry Lewis. Second, leaving Jerry Lewis. I became a real actor because of those two things."
In 1965, NBC first presented The Dean Martin Show, a musical variety hour through which Martin ambled with customary ease, often pretending to be drunk. The show enjoyed high ratings for eight years.
More recently, a 1992 book portrayed Martin as an ailing alcoholic who dined out alone every night. Martin himself said he never drank to excess because he didn't like to be sick.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments