Jimmy Durante facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy Durante
Durante as host of The Hollywood Palace, 1964
Born	James Francis Durante (1893-02-10)February 10, 1893 New York City, U.S.
Died	January 29, 1980(1980-01-29) (aged 86) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting place	Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City
Other names	The Schnoz The Great Schnozzola
Occupation	Comedian actor singer pianist
Years active	1920–1972
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jeanne Olsen ​ ​ (m. 1921; her death 1943)​ Margie Little ​ (m. 1960)​
Children	1 (adopted)
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James Francis Durante (born February 10, 1893 – died January 29, 1980) was a famous American entertainer. He was an actor, comedian, singer, and piano player. People knew him for his raspy voice, his New York accent, and his funny way of twisting words. His big nose, which he called the schnozzola, also made him very recognizable. He was one of the most popular stars in the United States from the 1920s to the 1970s.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Growing Up in New York

Jimmy Durante was born in New York City, on the Lower East Side. He was the youngest of four children. His parents, Rosa and Bartolomeo Durante, came from Italy. His father was a barber. Jimmy also served as an altar boy at St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church. This church was known as the "Actor's Chapel."

Starting His Career in Music

Jimmy left school in seventh grade to become a full-time ragtime pianist. Ragtime is a type of music with a bouncy, syncopated rhythm. He first played with his cousin, also named Jimmy Durante. He then became known as "Ragtime Jimmy." Later, he joined the Original New Orleans Jazz Band. Jimmy was the only band member not from New Orleans. He became famous for stopping a song to tell a joke. The band would play a chord after each joke line. This became his special way of performing. In 1920, the group changed its name to Jimmy Durante's Jazz Band.

Becoming a Star

From Vaudeville to Broadway

By the mid-1920s, Jimmy Durante was a big star in vaudeville. Vaudeville was a popular type of stage show with different acts. He also became famous on the radio. He was part of a trio called Clayton, Jackson and Durante. His close friends, Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson, often performed with him later on. Jackson and Durante appeared in a Broadway musical called The New Yorkers in 1930.

Famous Songs and Movies

In 1934, Durante had a huge hit song called "Inka Dinka Doo." He wrote this funny song himself. It became his theme song for the rest of his life. A year later, he starred in a Broadway musical called Jumbo. In one scene, a police officer asked him, "What are you doing with that elephant?" Jimmy would famously reply, "What elephant?" even though he was leading a real elephant across the stage! This part always got a huge laugh.

Jimmy also acted in many movies in the 1930s. He often played a funny sidekick. He appeared with famous actors like Buster Keaton in movies such as Speak Easily (1932). He was very good at playing supporting roles. Later, he appeared in movies like The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) and the classic comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).

Radio and Television Fame

Radio Shows

Jimmy Durante became a big radio star. In 1933, he was a guest on Eddie Cantor's radio show. He later took over as the star of the show. From 1943, he teamed up with Garry Moore for The Durante-Moore Show. Their funny conversations made them very popular. Jimmy's catchphrase, "Dat's my boy dat said dat!" became famous. This phrase even inspired the cartoon Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy. The duo was one of the most loved acts on radio for many years.

Television Appearances

Jimmy Durante first appeared on television in 1950. He was a host on NBC's Four Star Revue. He continued to host this show until 1954. From 1954 to 1956, he had his own half-hour variety show called The Jimmy Durante Show.

In the 1950s, Jimmy started working with his new sidekick, Sonny King. They performed together until Jimmy's death. In the 1960s, Jimmy often hosted The Hollywood Palace, a popular variety show. His last regular TV series was Jimmy Durante Presents The Lennon Sisters in 1969.

Family Life

Jimmy Durante married his first wife, Jean "Jeanne" Olson, in 1921. She passed away in 1943.

He married his second wife, Margaret "Margie" Little, in 1960. They met 16 years before their marriage when she was a hatcheck girl at a nightclub where he performed. In 1961, they adopted a baby girl named Cecilia Alicia, who they called CeCe. CeCe grew up to be a champion horsewoman and trainer. Margie passed away in 2009.

Helping Others

Jimmy Durante was known for his kind heart and charitable work. In 1958, he received a special award for his good deeds. The award said, "JIMMY DURANTE THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS COMEDIAN. A loving cup to you Jimmy, it's larger than your nose, but smaller than your heart."

He always took care of his old friends, Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson. Even after he became a big star, he kept them on his payroll for their whole lives.

Jimmy also loved helping children. He worked with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a group that raises money for children who are disabled or have been hurt. He performed for them many times for free. He even refused money for his travel. In his honor, the Fraternal Order of Eagles renamed their children's fund the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund. This fund has raised over $20 million to help kids. One project built with this money was a heated swimming pool for therapy at a school in Texas. Jimmy named it the "Inka Dinka Doo Pool."

Beliefs and Politics

Jimmy Durante was a deeply religious man and a Roman Catholic. In Las Vegas, he would often greet people outside the Guardian Angel Cathedral after Sunday Mass. In 1968, he recorded an album of spiritual songs called Songs for Sunday.

He was also an active member of the Democratic Party. In 1933, he appeared in an advertisement supporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs. He even wrote a song for it called Give a Man a Job. He performed at the inauguration party for President John F. Kennedy in 1961. He also performed at a big Democratic party rally in 1962.

Later Years and Legacy

Continuing His Career

Jimmy Durante continued to appear in films and on television into the early 1970s. Many modern audiences know him as the narrator of the classic animated Christmas special Frosty the Snowman (1969). He also appeared in commercials for Kellogg's Corn Flakes in the mid-1960s. He would often introduce himself by saying, "Dis is Jimmy Durante, in puy-son!"

In 1963, he recorded a popular album called September Song. His version of "As Time Goes By" was used in the opening credits of the movie Sleepless in Seattle. His song "Make Someone Happy" played at the end of the same movie. His song "I'll Be Seeing You" was a trademark on his 1960s TV show. It was also featured in the 2004 film The Notebook.

Retirement and Passing

Jimmy Durante retired from performing in 1972 after having a stroke. He made one public appearance in 1974 at a reunion for former MGM movie stars.

Jimmy Durante passed away from pneumonia in Santa Monica, California, on January 29, 1980. He was 86 years old. Many fellow entertainers attended his funeral. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City in California.

His Lasting Impact

Even after his death, Jimmy Durante's songs are still used in many films. His unique voice and style continue to bring joy to new generations. For example, his song "Smile" was featured in the movie Joker (2019). His song "The Glory of Love" was used in the movies Orphan (2009) and Orphan: First Kill (2022).

Filmography

Discography

• 1959: At the Piano – In Person
• 1963: September Song
• 1964: Hello Young Lovers
• 1964: Jimmy Durante's Way of Life...
• 1966: One of Those Songs
• 1967: Songs for Sunday

Images for kids

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  Buster Keaton, Thelma Todd and Durante in Speak Easily (1932)

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  With Garry Moore in the "Durante-Moore Show" (1943–1947)

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  Durante on The Jumbo Fire Chief Program, 1935

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  Durante in trailer for Broadway to Hollywood (1933)

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  With Pearl Bailey on her ABC variety series in 1971

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  Durante in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

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  Jimmy and Margaret Durante's grave at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California

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  Jimmy Durante's noseprint, handprint, and signature in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre

See also

In Spanish: Jimmy Durante para niños