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Frank Sinatra

Jazz Singer and Actor Frank Sinatra

Full Name: Francis Albert Sinatra
Profession: Jazz Singer and Actor

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: Frank Sinatra, often dubbed "Ol' Blue Eyes," was an American singer and actor who remains one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. He was one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 150 million records sold worldwide.

Sinatra's music career began in the swing era with big bands, and he found early success as a crooner. By the 1940s, he had established himself as a solo artist, producing numerous hits. Songs like My Way (1969), New York, New York (1977), and Strangers in the Night (1966) have since become classics.

He was also a member of the Rat Pack, a group of entertainers including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, known for their collective performances, primarily in Las Vegas.

Sinatra also had a successful acting career. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in From Here to Eternity (1953) and went on to star in many other films, including musicals like High Society (1956) and dramatic roles in films like The Manchurian Candidate (1962).

Off-stage, Sinatra's life was marked by its fair share of controversies, including tumultuous romantic relationships and rumored ties to organized crime. He was nevertheless awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985, as well as winning 11 Grammy Awards over his career.

Born: December 12, 1915
Birthplace: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Died: May 14, 1998 (aged 82)

Articles and Photos

Married Life

  • 1939-02-04 American singer Frank Sinatra (23) marries 1st wife Nancy Barbato (21) at Our Lady of Sorrows catholic church in Jersey City, New Jersey; divorce in 1951
  • 1951-10-29 Singer and actor Frank Sinatra (35) and 1st wife Nancy (Barbato) (33) divorce due to infidelity after 12 years of marriage
  • 1951-11-07 American entertainer Frank Sinatra (35) marries 2nd wife American film star Ava Gardner (26); divorce in 1957
  • 1957-07-05 American singer and actor Frank Sinatra (41) and movie star Ava Gardner (32) divorce after 6 years of marriage
  • 1966-07-19 American saloon singer Frank Sinatra (50) marries American actress Mia Farrow (21) at the Las Vegas, Nevada home of casino executive Jack Entratter; divorce in 1968
  • 1968-08-16 Singer and actor Frank Sinatra and 3rd wife actress Mia Farrow divorce after 2 years of marriage
  • 1976-07-11 Singer and actor Frank Sinatra (60) weds 4th and final wife, American socialite Barbara Marx (45)

Historical Events

  • 1938-11-27 Bergen County (New Jersey) sheriff's department arrests American singer Frank Sinatra (23) on charge of "seduction", later withdrawn and amended to adultery, and shortly thereafter case dismissed
  • 1939-07-13 Frank Sinatra makes his recording debut, with The Harry James Orchestra, singing "From the Bottom of My Heart" and "Melancholy Mood"
  • 1940-02-02 Frank Sinatra performs at the Lyric Theater in Indianapolis, Indiana, his first as featured singer with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
  • 1940-07-20 Billboard publishes its 1st singles record chart - "I'll Never Smile Again" by Tommy Dorsey, with vocal by Frank Sinatra is #1
  • 1941-02-07 Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey orchestra record "Everything Happens to Me"
  • 1942-12-30 NYC's Times Square greets Frank Sinatra at Paramount Theater, initiating the term "Sinatramania"
  • 1943-02-06 Singer Frank Sinatra debuts on radio's "Your Hit Parade"
  • 1944-10-12 "Columbus Day Riot": 30,000 fans descend on NYC's Times Square for singer Frank Sinatra's performance at Paramount Theatre (capacity 3,500)
  • 1949-12-08 "On the Town", the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Ann Miller and Vera-Ellen, premieres
  • 1951-03-27 Frank Sinatra records "I'm a Fool to Want You"
  • 1953-08-05 "From Here to Eternity" based on book by James Jones, directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1954)
  • 1955-04-25 Captiol Records releases "In the Wee Small Hours", the ninth studio album by American vocalist Frank Sinatra; collection of melancholy ballads with arrangements by Nelson Riddle was an early example of a concept album and helped popularize the 12-inch format for non-classical recordings
  • 1956-03-05 Capitol Records releases "Songs for Swingin' Lovers!", the tenth album by American singer Frank Sinatra: upbeat collection of pop tunes with jazz arrangements by Nelson Riddle became the first album ever to top the new UK Albums Chart
  • 1956-07-17 MGM releases film "High Society", a musical re-working of "The Philadelphia Story" set in Newport, Rhode Island; starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra, with songs by Cole Porter
  • 1957-10-18 "The Frank Sinatra Show" television variety/drama anthology series debuts on ABC; the singer-actor is given almost complete control of the program
  • 1960-02-13 Frank Sinatra launches Reprise label, after a failed attempt to buy the Verve label;
  • 1960-12-19 Frank Sinatra's 1st session with Reprise Records ("Ring-A-Ding-Ding")
  • 1962-10-24 "The Manchurian Candidate", directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey, is released
  • 1966-03-15 8th Grammy Awards: "Taste of Honey", Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra & Barbra Streisand win
  • 1966-04-11 Frank Sinatra records "Strangers in the Night" single for his album of the same name. Later reaches #1 Billboard charts
  • 1966-07-23 Frank Sinatra's album "Strangers In The Night" hits #1 on the US charts, (Grammy for Record Of The Year and Best Male Vocal Performance)
  • 1967-03-02 9th Grammy Awards: "Strangers in the Night" by Frank Sinatra wins best record, "Michele" by The Beatles best song
  • 1968-12-30 Frank Sinatra first records "My Way" with lyrics were written by Paul Anka and based on the French song "Comme d'habitude"
  • 1976-09-06 Singer Frank Sinatra brings surprise guest Dean Martin to his appearance on Jerry Lewis' 11th Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon - the first time Martin and Lewis share a stage in 20 years
  • 1980-01-26 175,000 pay to hear Frank Sinatra sing in Rio de Janeiro
  • 1980-06-14 "Theme From New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra spreads to #32 on the charts
  • 1983-10-27 Larry Flynt pays hitman $1M to kill Hugh Hefner, Bob Guccione, Walter Annenberg, and Frank Sinatra; Flynt's business manager immediately stops payment; Flynt claims he was just joking
  • 1995-02-25 Singer Frank Sinatra performs for final time before a live audience of 1200 select guests at the Palm Desert Marriott Ballroom, in Palm Desert, California, on the closing night of his charity golf tournament
  • 1997-01-09 Heart attacks sends singer Frank Sinatra back to hospital

Quotes by Frank Sinatra

  • "Fear is the enemy of logic."