Jimmy Durante Biography

Jimmy Durante, Comedian
Born asJames Francis Durante
Known asThe Schnoz, The Great Schnozzola
Occup.Comedian
FromUSA
BornFebruary 10, 1893
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedJanuary 29, 1980
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
CausePneumonia
Aged86 years
Early Life
James Francis Durante was born on February 10, 1893, in the Lower East Side of New York City. He was the youngest of 4 kids birthed to Italian immigrants, Bartolomeo and Rosa Lentino Durante. As the child of immigrants, Jimmy matured in a modest family members that instilled a strong work values in him. He dropped out of college at an early age to assist support his family members by doing odd jobs like radiating footwear and supplying ice.

Throughout his adolescent years, Durante created a passion in enjoyment and started seeking an occupation in songs. He found out piano from a regional musician, and also by the age of 17, he started playing the piano in coffee shops and bars in the neighborhood. This ultimately led him to form a small band, which dipped into numerous occasions as well as venues throughout New York City. His humor as well as wit swiftly ended up being as prominent as his skill behind the piano.

Increase to Fame
Durante's breakthrough came in 1920 when he was worked with to perform at New York's preferred Club Alamo. Below, he developed his trademark comedy routine, including a combination of musical numbers, jokes, and also slapstick. His stage personality-- complete with a battered hat and also big, round nose-- became commonly recognizable, as well as soon he was nicknamed "The Schnozzola" (an use his famous nose).

His success on stage eventually brought about chances in radio and also film. Durante's launching in Hollywood remained in the 1930 motion picture, "Roadhouse Nights". He then took place to make numerous movies, usually playing the role of the comic or the capitivating goon. A few of his unforgettable films consist of "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1942), "Two Girls and a Sailor" (1944), and also "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963).

Radio as well as Television Career
In 1933, Durante started his radio career with the preferred show, "The Chase and Sanborn Hour". His distinct voice, comical timing, and also catch phrases like "Inka dinka doo" soon engaged him to American target markets. Throughout the 1930s as well as 1940s, Durante had his very own radio program, "The Jimmy Durante Show", where he brought wit and music to numerous audiences.

Durante also transitioned to television as the medium gained popularity in the 1950s. His selection program, "The Jimmy Durante Show", broadcast from 1954 to 1957 and consisted of a mix of acts, monologues, as well as music numbers. Durante looked like a visitor on various tv programs, such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" as well as "The Hollywood Palace", and also even had cameo functions in classic television collection, like "I Love Lucy".

Personal Life as well as Philanthropy
Durante married his first better half, Jeanne Olsen, in 1921. The couple adopted an infant girl named Cecilia in 1936, that they affectionately called "CeCe". Unfortunately, Jeanne endured a heart attack as well as died in 1943. In 1960, Durante wed his second partner, Marjorie Little, who had been his assistant for numerous years.

Throughout his life, Durante was dedicated to helping others, particularly children in requirement. He was a major benefactor of the children's wing at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. After his daughter CeCe died from a heart attack in 1963, Durante started the CeCe Durante-Bloum Foundation in her memory, which remains to supply scholarships as well as grants to deserving trainees.

Later Years as well as Death
Jimmy Durante continued to work in home entertainment till the late 1970s. His last job was offering the voice of the narrator for the computer animated Christmas special, "Frosty the Snowman" (1969), which has actually come to be a precious holiday standard.

On January 29, 1980, Durante died from pneumonia at the age of 86 in Santa Monica, California. He was put to rest beside his very first better half, Jeanne, and also child, CeCe, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Durante left behind a tradition of laughter and heat that made him a beloved number in American enjoyment. His contributions to stage, radio, film, as well as tv have made him an extraordinary symbol whose job remains to bring delight to generations of fans.

Our collection contains 9 quotes who is written / told by Jimmy.

Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Source / external links:

9 Famous quotes by Jimmy Durante

Small: Politics is developing more comedians than radio ever did
"Politics is developing more comedians than radio ever did"
Small: If Id known how old I was going to be Id have taken better care of myself
"If I'd known how old I was going to be I'd have taken better care of myself"
Small: Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down
"Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down"
Small: Man is the only animal that can be skinned more than once
"Man is the only animal that can be skinned more than once"
Small: Be a awful nice to em goin up, because youre gonna meet em all comin down
"Be a awful nice to 'em goin' up, because you're gonna meet 'em all comin' down"
Small: Why cant everybody leave everybody else the hell alone
"Why can't everybody leave everybody else the hell alone"
Small: Be kind to people on the way up - youll meet them again on your way down
"Be kind to people on the way up - you'll meet them again on your way down"
Small: My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe
"My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe"
Small: I hate music, especially when its played
"I hate music, especially when it's played"