Ed Ames facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed Ames
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edmund Dantes Urick |
| Also known as | Eddie Ames |
| Born | July 9, 1927 Malden, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 2023 (aged 95) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Years active | 1947–2023 |
| Labels | Decca, Coral, RCA Victor |
Ed Ames (born Edmund Dantes Urick; July 9, 1927 – May 21, 2023) was a talented American singer and actor. You might know him as Mingo from the TV show Daniel Boone. He also had several popular songs in the 1960s, like "My Cup Runneth Over" and "Time, Time". Before his solo career, he was part of a famous singing group with his brothers, called the Ames Brothers.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Ed Ames was born in Malden, Massachusetts, on July 9, 1927. He was the youngest of nine children in his family. His parents, Sarah and David Urick, had moved from Ukraine.
Growing up, Ed's family didn't have much money. He went to the Boston Latin School and learned about classical music and literature. While still in high school, he and his brothers formed a singing group. They often won local singing contests.
Later, three of the brothers moved to New York City and became the Amory Brothers quartet. A famous writer named Abe Burrows suggested they change their name to the Ames Brothers.
The Ames Brothers first signed with Decca Records in 1947. They later joined Coral Records and had their first big hit in the 1950s with songs like "Rag Mop" and "Sentimental Me". They then moved to RCA Victor and continued to have many successful songs throughout the 1950s. The brothers often appeared on TV variety shows and even had their own short show in 1955.
Becoming an Actor
In the early 1960s, the Ames Brothers group stopped performing together. Ed Ames decided to try acting and studied at a special acting school. His first main role was in a play called The Crucible. He then performed in other plays like The Fantasticks and Carnival! on Broadway.
Because of his looks, Ed was often chosen to play Native American characters. He played Chief Bromden in the Broadway play One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Talent scouts from 20th Century Fox saw him and invited him to play Mingo, a Cherokee character, in the NBC TV series Daniel Boone. In the show, Mingo's father was an English officer, but Mingo chose to stay with the Cherokee Nation. Ed Ames even played Mingo's evil twin brother, Taramingo, in one episode!
Ed also appeared in other TV shows. He was in an episode of The Rifleman in 1962 and The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters in 1963.
Solo Singing Career
Ed Ames started singing on his own in 1965. He was known for his deep, rich voice, called a baritone. His first song as a solo artist was "Try to Remember".
He had a much bigger hit in 1967 with "My Cup Runneth Over". This song was very popular on both pop and adult contemporary radio stations. He also had other successful songs like "Time, Time" and "When the Snow Is on the Roses". In 1968, he had another big pop hit with "Who Will Answer?".
You might still hear Ed Ames's voice during the Christmas season. His version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is often played on the radio during the holidays. He also sang the "Ballad of the War Wagon" for the John Wayne movie The War Wagon in 1967.
Personal Life
Ed Ames married Sarita Cacheiro in 1947, and they had three children. They later divorced in 1973. In 1998, Ed married Jeanne Arnold Saviano.
Even while working as a singer and actor, Ed went to the University of California, Los Angeles. He earned a degree in theater and cinema arts in 1975.
Ed was proud of his Jewish heritage and supported Jewish communities. He owned homes in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, and Teaneck, New Jersey. From 1968 to 1987, he was also a part-owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team.
Ed Ames passed away at his home in Los Angeles on May 21, 2023, at the age of 95.
Discography
Ed Ames released many popular songs and albums throughout his career. Some of his well-known albums include Try to Remember, My Cup Runneth Over, and Time, Time. He also released Christmas albums and albums featuring songs from Broadway and Hollywood.
