Close

Italian-Americans have shaped and contributed to many aspects of American life. Our people historically have been a dominant force in the entertainment industry. From singers to musicians to actors, Italian-Americans have entertained and brought happiness to millions of people not only in America, but around the world. It is interesting to look at...

6345

We all have those legendary performers we wish we could have met in person. For me, the list begins with Jackie Gleason, Jimmy Stewart and James Cagney. Yet another name resonates as being at the top of my "wish I woulda met" list: The King of Cool, Dean Martin. Martin passed away Christmas Day, 1995. I thought I would share my experience with the...

670

He was the “King of Cool,” an Italian American star whose casual magnetism and incomparable voice defined the Rat Pack style that influenced generations of American popular culture.  Now, Dean Martin’s hometown is seeking to honor him for all time with a larger-than-life statue at the heart of this once-bustling community.  In this week’s episode,...

745

In 2015 I attended my first National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington, DC. Somewhat intimidated by the size of the venue, the 2,000 hosts in tuxedos or evening gowns, and the importance of those in attendance, I discovered that at my table were CEOs and managers of the highest caliber, with their respective spouses.  My surprise was g...

5362

Dean Martin was known as the "King of Cool." Suave and raffish, the actor played a monumental role in American entertainment for decades, starring in movies and cutting records, with a drink in one unsteady hand, a cigarette in the other, and a sly joke on the tip of his tongue. He slouched and winked his way through a number of hit movies, as Biog...

541

 A life-sized bronze statue of the “King of Cool” is what a newly organized group hopes to see erected outside the Historic Fort Steuben Visitors Center and unveiled at the Dean Martin Hometown celebration in 2023. But there’s work to be done before that can happen — namely generating awareness about the project and raising money to move it from dr...

987

Dino Paul Crocetti was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on June 7, 1917. His father was Gaetano (Guy) Alfonso Crocetti (December 15, 1894 – August 29, 1967), a barber who had emigrated from the city of Montesilvano (population 53,738 in the 2015 Census) on the coast of the Adriatic Sea in the province of Pescara in the region of Abruzzo, Italy. His moth...

1481

The life and times of Dean Martin were tinged with fame, fortune, worldwide celebrity and a late-in-life tragedy — and they’re concisely and lovingly documented in “Dean Martin: King of Cool,” premiering Friday (Nov. 19) at 8 p.m. on TCM. The new documentary, directed by Tom Donahue, features a treasure trove of personal photos, home movies, archiv...

1598

Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, along with their respective families, joined together for this memorable Christmas celebration filmed in 1967, and not seen in its entirety since its original airing on December 21, 1967. In addition to more than a dozen holiday classics, Frank and Dean give viewers a special present: a medley of many of their most be...

5508

We all have those legendary performers we wish we could have met in person. For me, the list begins with Jackie Gleason, Jimmy Stewart and James Cagney. But one name resonates as being at the top of my "Wish I woulda met" list: "The King Of Cool," Dean Martin. Dean passed away Christmas Day 1995, so I thought I would share my experience with the Ma...

1276