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Danny Thomas 1912 - 1991

Danny Thomas was born on January 6, 1912, and died at age 79 years old on February 6, 1991.

Danny Thomas

Amos Jacobs at birth.

January 6, 1912

February 6, 1991

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

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Danny Thomas Danny Thomas (1912 - 1991)

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Danny Thomas' History: 1912 - 1991

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Introduction

Danny Thomas Born January 6, 1912 in Deerfield, Michigan, USA Died February 6, 1991 in Los Angeles, California, USA (heart attack) Birth Name Amos Alphonsus Muzyad Yakhoob Nicknames Muzzy Jake Height 5' 11" (1.8 m) Mini Bio (1) Known primarily as a TV actor, he starred as a nightclub singer on the popular The Danny Thomas Show (1953). He also served TV behind the cameras partnering with Sheldon Leonard and Aaron Spelling to create such shows as Dick Van Dyke's show, The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961), The Andy Griffith Show (1960) and Mod Squad (1968). He was also dedicated to building the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, which he founded in 1962. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel Spouse (1) Rose Marie Mantell Thomas (15 January 1936 - 6 February 1991) ( his death) ( 3 children) Trade Mark (5) His bulbous nose He, Sheldon Leonard, and son Tony Thomas, each produced several long-running sitcoms and/or dramas. A couple of his characters were entertainment performers. Frequently played characters that were gruff in tone His loud, nasal voice Trivia (93) Took his stage name from his eldest brother Thomas and his youngest brother Danny. Most of his friends called him "Jake". Though he was a spokesman for Sanka decaffeinated coffee, he later confessed that he never drank it. He claimed he could drink cup after cup of Maxwell House coffee and still fall asleep minutes later. Child of Lebanese immigrants. Was a founding minority owner of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins. Danny Williams, his character on The Danny Thomas Show (1953), was ranked #5 in "TV Guide'"s list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" in its 20 June 2004 issue. Founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Guest speaker at the 1973 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Butler, PA. Was offered the lead role in The Jolson Story (1946) after James Cagney turned it down. He also turned it down. Godmother of his daughter Marlo Thomas was Loretta Young. His The Danny Thomas Show (1953) co-star, Angela Cartwright, said in an interview that TV producer Irwin Allen was a huge fan of Thomas' show, and asked her to audition for a sci-fi series he was producing that eventually wound up to be Lost in Space (1965), which was loosely based on the novel, "The Swiss Family Robinson". Angela Cartwright's parrot was named after him. Father-in-law of Phil Donahue. Best remembered by the public for his starring role as nightclub entertainer Danny Williams on The Danny Thomas Show (1953). Before he was a successful TV actor, he was a radio actor. Met his future wife, Rose Marie Mantell Thomas, at a Happy Hour Club in Detroit, MI, when he was 23. Before he was a successful actor, he used to work at a nightclub in Chicago, IL. His daughter, Margaret Julia--better known as Marlo Thomas)--was named after his mother. Survived by his wife, Rosie Marie, of 55 years and three children: Marlo Thomas, Terre Thomas and Tony Thomas. Graduated from Woodward High School in Toledo, OH, in 1931. Was the first actor to legally change his name, twice, before Jane Wyman and Robert Fuller.
01/6

1912

Birthday

January 6, 1912

Birthdate

Unknown

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Lebanese
Religious Beliefs

Catholic.
Military Service

In the 1940's, Mr. Thomas performed on the Fanny Brice radio show and then was given his own program on CBS radio, "The Danny Thomas Show," which ran from 1944 to 1949. In World War II, he entertained troops in North Africa, Italy and the Philippines, and after the war he went into the movies.
Professional Career

Raising money for St. Jude is my reason for living. Until I die I will continue to beg for more. A part of the reason I decided to do the new show is to introduce a new generation to this guy with the hooked nose. Then, when I ask for their dollars for St. Jude, they'll know who I am. And I plan to be asking for their dollars for a long time. [When asked as to how long he could continue starring as Danny Williams]: I have options for two more years after this one. I'd like to do at least one more year in deference to the sponsors. Then I'd like to slow down and let the reruns work for me. [on the hospital he was promoting]: It is my belief that St. Jude Hospital will one day announce to the world the great tidings of a cure for leukemia or cancer or even both. I am proud to beg for this project. [In 1961]: Situation comedy! I hate the term. There's all that talk about giving the public education on TV. We haven't yet educated the public to appreciate what it is getting now. Why should all shows be lumped into the category of 'situation comedy?' They should be called 'life shows,' because they reflect life. Do you know why they have the tragic and the comic masks in the theater? [Of his ex-partner Sheldon Leonard developing another TV series]: Sheldon Leonard [his director] and I sometimes discuss it. We think we are tired and have no place to go. But then we say, 'What we would do if we quit? Start another series?' We could never find another cast and crew as congenial as this one. We love each other. We see more of each other than we do of our own families. Should we give this up? [Who said in 1962 about thanking people who contributed to his hospital]: It took a rabble-rousing, hook-nosed comedian to get your attention, but it took your heart, your loving minds, your generous souls to make this dream come true. [Who said in 1964 about the character of St. Joseph]: It's a story that has never been told before. Nobody has anything to be ashamed of regarding his national origins - and by golly, I'm trying to prove it. I'll do Yiddish, Greek, Arabic, Negro, Italian and Irish vernaculars, and to heck with the squawks.
Personal Life & Family

Actor, Singer. His career began as a nightclub comedian with a brief fling in the movies. His greatest success was achieved in television, starring in the long-running sitcom (1953–1964), "Make Room for Daddy," later known as "The Danny Thomas Show." He also was a producer responsible for such shows as the "Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Gomer Pyle," and "The Mod Squad." As a young man, he embraced as his patron saint, St Jude Thaddeus, the patron of lost or impossible causes, and founded, as a memorial, St Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, using much of his own money while spearheading the fundraising for its construction. For good measure, Danny Thomas, founded ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities) an organization comprised of wealthy Arabs who raised funds for the maintenance and operating costs of the hospital, allowing free treatment to needy children while finding cures for catastrophic children's diseases. He was born Muzyard Yaakoob (Amos Jacob) in Deerfield, Michigan, the fifth of 10 children born to Arab immigrants. The family moved to nearby Toledo, where he grew up, considering the city his hometown. He was schooled by Ursuline nuns at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, then attended Woodward High School becoming a dropout in his junior year to pursue a show business career. Exposed to movies after taking a job selling snacks in the isles of the Empire Theater at St. Clair & Orange Streets in downtown Toledo, Amos became enamored as he watched, dreaming of a movie career. He began his career as a singer at a Detroit radio station while also performing as an MC-comedian in nightclubs. He first performed under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs, before settling on Danny Thomas, a derivative from first names of his two brothers. Danny debuted in 1946 with a brief film career with lead and supporting roles as a comic. He achieved success on television, starring in the long-running sitcom "Make Room for Daddy," then starring in a number of specials while making many guest appearances. Stepping behind the camera in late 1950s, he formed a partnership which produced many successful television shows. Danny worked for his St. Jude Hospital project until the end of his life. While taking part in the hospital's 29th anniversary, he filmed a television commercial for the facility while signing fundraising copies of his autobiography in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion. He pointed to the building's chapel uttering a wish to be buried there upon his demise. Returning to Los Angeles, he suffered a massive heart attack two days later, which claimed his life at age 79. His funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church located in Hollywood, California, and was attended by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and a huge crowd of Hollywood celebrities. A special message from President George Bush lauding the entertainer was read. His remains were transported to Memphis where he lay in state in the Pavilion, while families stood in line for hours to pay tribute to this extraordinary compassionate man. He was interred on the grounds in a plot now known as the Danny and Rose Marie Memorial Garden. He cornered the market in humanitarian awards receiving hundreds. On April 16, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pope Paul VI presented Danny the highest honor that could be bestowed up a layman - Knight Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The American Medical Association bestowed The Layman Award, its highest honor to a nonmedical personal. He was the father of actress Marlo Thomas and TV producer Tony Thomas. He received a Best Actor Starring in a Regular Series Emmy for "Make Room for Daddy" in 1954 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He authored an autobiography, "Make Room for Danny," in 1990. The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion is the repository for thousands of artifacts from his life. Its presence allows the hospital to further raise funds for the facility by operating an extensive gift shop with an online "The Hope Catalog." Adjacent to the Pavilion is the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is not only the site of the burial crypt of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas and his wife Rose Marie, but a functional park which furnishes a contemplative setting for hospital staff workers and visitors alike to enjoy a peaceful place for relaxation. Bio by: Donald Greyfield Family Members Parents Charles Paul Jacobs 1881–1947 Margaret Christine Simon Jacobs 1888–1952 Spouse Rose Marie Cassaniti Thomas 1914–2000 (m. 1936) Siblings Thomas J. Jacobs 1903–1976 William J. Jacobs 1905–1981 Fred Francis Jacobs 1907–1978 Raymond J. Jacobs 1910–1972 Emily Mary Jacobs Dyke 1914–1981 Paul George Jacobs 1916–1955 Edward Peter Jacobs 1919–2002 Samuel S. Jacobs 1920–1980 Daniel Alfred Jacobs 1923–1972
02/6

1991

Death

February 6, 1991

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
Death location

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02/7

1991

Gravesite & Burial

February 7, 1991

Funeral date
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Pl, in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee 38105, United States
Burial location
Obituary

Danny Thomas, 79, the TV Star Of 'Make Room for Daddy,' Dies By MERVYN ROTHSTEIN FEB. 7, 1991 February 7, 1991, Page 00025 The New York Times Danny Thomas, the comedian and philanthropist best known as the star of the television series "Make Room for Daddy" in the 1950's and 60's, died yesterday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 79 years old. He died after a heart attack at his home in Beverly Hills, a hospital spokesman said. Mr. Thomas appeared in "Make Room for Daddy," later known as "The Danny Thomas Show," from 1953 to 1964, playing a nightclub comedian, which he was for much of his almost 60-year career. He was also a founder and benefactor of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, which seeks cures for children's cancer and other catastrophic diseases. "Danny was one of the giants of the industry," Bob Hope said yesterday. "And what he did for St. Jude's will never be forgotten." Mr. Thomas, a Roman Catholic, was long known for his strong religious faith. He often said that in the difficult early days of his career, when his wife was urging him to give up show business and get a regular job, he prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless, impossible and difficult cases. He asked the saint to put him on the right path, vowing that if the saint did so he would build him a shrine. That shrine, built with the assistance of many other people, was the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was dedicated in 1962. Mr. Thomas spent much of his time raising money for the hospital, which he long considered his most important accomplishment. "That's my epitaph," he said in a recent interview. "It's right on the cornerstone: Danny Thomas, founder." Phil Donahue, the television talk-show host who is married to Mr. Thomas's daughter Marlo, said: "He hit the long ball for such a long time. He would hold an audience for an unprecedented length of time in the imagery of the story he was telling, and suddenly would come the punch line, and the ceiling would crack with laughter. He wove an illusion on the stage with no props, all by himself." A Title Taken From Life Mr. Thomas returned home recently after completing a nationwide tour promoting his autobiography, "Make Room for Danny," written with Bill Davidson and newly published by G. P. Putnam's. The comedian said in his autobiography that the original title of his television show was provided by his wife, the former Rose Marie Cassaniti. The title was based on their family's many years of experience with his nightclub travels. While he was away, his two daughters slept in his bedroom with their mother and put their clothes in his dresser. When he returned home, they would have to clean out the dresser to "make room for Daddy." Danny Thomas was born on Jan. 6, 1912, on a horse farm in Deerfield, Mich., the son of Lebanese immigrants. Many references list the year of his birth as 1914, but a family spokesman said yesterday that it was actually 1912. At birth he was named Muzyad Yakhoob, but his parents later changed the name to Amos Jacobs. He grew up with his eight brothers and one sister largely in Toledo, Ohio, and dropped out of high school in his freshman year with a dream that many first-generation Americans had in those days: to make it in show business. He had already, at age 11, had his first job in the entertainment world: selling candy and ice cream in the aisles at a burlesque house. He made his official show-business debut in 1932 on "The Happy Hour Club," an amateur show on WMBC Radio in Detroit. On Aug. 12, 1940, at the 5100 Club in Chicago, he took the name Danny Thomas, Danny after his younger brother and Thomas after his eldest. He had already acted on radio -- his true ambition was to be a character actor -- but took the club job because the pay, $50 a week, was better than his radio salary. He did not, however, want his radio friends, or his family in Toledo, to find out that he had returned to the saloons, so he came up with a pseudonym. It stuck. A Comedian's Style It also soon became clear that his forte was comedy. He was spotted by Abe Lastfogel, then the head of the William Morris Agency, who guided his career for many years. As a comedian, Mr. Thomas was a storyteller, not a specialist in one-liners. "My people are inherently storytellers," he said in a recent interview. "When I was a kid, the entertainment was somebody from the old country or a big city who came and visited and told tales of where they came from. And my mother was very good at it. She could not read or write in any language, yet she would see silent movies and make up her own scenarios." In the 1940's, Mr. Thomas performed on the Fanny Brice radio show and then was given his own program on CBS radio, "The Danny Thomas Show," which ran from 1944 to 1949. In World War II, he entertained troops in North Africa, Italy and the Philippines, and after the war he went into the movies. Three movie producers -- Jack Warner, Louis B. Mayer and Harry Cohn -- wanted him to fix his trademark hook nose, saying that otherwise he would never make it big. Mr. Thomas adamantly refused. His films included "The Unfinished Dance" (1947); "The Big City" (1948); "Call Me Mister" (1951); "I'll See You in My Dreams" (1951), in which he starred, opposite Doris Day, as the songwriter Gus Kahn, and "The Jazz Singer" (1953), in which he portrayed Al Jolson. From Performer to Producer Then came the television series, which lasted 11 years. It began on ABC and was switched to CBS. The show can still be seen in reruns. The series made him a household name. Mr. Thomas recently recalled that the program was frequently No. 1 in the ratings and almost always in the top 10. He then became a highly successful television producer, first with Sheldon Leonard and then with Aaron Spelling. The series he produced with Mr. Leonard included "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and "The Real McCoys"; those with Mr. Spelling included "The Mod Squad" and "The Guns of Will Sonnett." Later television series in which Mr. Thomas starred included "Make Room for Granddaddy" in 1970, "The Practice" in 1976 and 1977, "I'm a Big Girl Now" in 1980 and "One Big Family" in 1986. Throughout his television career, Mr. Thomas continued to perform in nightclubs. In recent years, he appeared in a Legends of Comedy act with Milton Berle and Sid Caesar. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan gave him a Congressional medal for his achievements. Creating a Shrine He was also devoted to his family and loved to talk about the success of his children: Marlo Thomas's career on television and in films, his daughter Theresa's two children, the work of his son, Tony, as a producer of television shows and films, including "The Golden Girls," "Empty Nest" and "Dead Poets Society." On Saturday night, Danny Thomas appeared as a guest on "Empty Nest," portraying an elderly physician. In addition to Mr. Thomas's wife and three children, survivors include five grandchildren. Correction: February 13, 1991 An obituary of Danny Thomas on Thursday misidentified his movie role in the 1953 version of "The Jazz Singer." He portrayed the son of a cantor, the role played by Al Jolson in the 1927 original.

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Danny Thomas lived 8 years longer than the average family member when died at the age of 79.

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9 Memories, Stories & Photos about Danny

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

11/29/2024

Danny Thomas

His extremely talented daughter, Marlo Thomas.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas who was greatly admired by singer Julie Budd. When she was asked, "Could you pick a favorite?" "It’s, it’s tough to say. I could say right off the top of my head the four favorite people that I loved personally – personally – who I really loved. The first person was Liberace. He became a dear, dear, dear, dear friend of mine for 17 years. In fact, I’m still very dear friends with his choreographer and director. The second person that I loved, loved, loved – I loved Jim Nabors a lot. I loved him. He was really great to me. I loved him. Jim Nabors and Danny Thomas. Danny Thomas was like the best friend you could ever have in the world. He was the most loyal, true, best friend, bar none, that you could ever, ever have in the world. And I learned more from Danny Thomas in one day than people could learn in a hundred years. He was a great, great person."

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/21/2019

Danny Thomas

A photo of Danny Thomas

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Danny Thomas' Family Tree & Friends

Danny Thomas' Family Tree

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Danny Thomas Jan 6, 1912 - Feb 6, 1991

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Sheldon Leonard Feb 22, 1907 - Jan 11, 1997 Beverly Hills, California

Sheldon Leonard of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, CA was born on February 22, 1907 in New York, New York United States, and died at age 89 years old on January 11, 1997. Sheldon Leonard was buried on January 14, 1997 at Hillside Memorial Park 6001 W Centinela Ave, in Los Angeles, CA.

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Other Biographies

Other Danny Thomas Biographies

Thomas, Danny (Died Oct 26, 1979) Thomas, Danny (Jun 13, 1950 - Sep 11, 2012) Thomas, Danny (Jan 19, 1947 - Dec 10, 2012) Thomas, Danny (Jul 21, 1934 - Feb 29, 2012) Thomas, Danny (Mar 21, 1956 - Nov 8, 1992) Thomas, Danny (Nov 8, 1953 - Nov 14, 1960) Thomas, Danny (Jun 9, 1957 - Dec 14, 1997) Thomas, Danny (Oct 20, 1985 - Feb 4, 2010) Thomas, Danny (Jul 1, 1969 - Apr 11, 2002) Thomas, Danny (Jul 6, 1936 - Aug 3, 2000)

Thomas, Danny (Nov 11, 1950 - Oct 19, 2007) Thomas, Danny (Jun 18, 1929 - Feb 24, 2007) Thomas, Danny (Mar 17, 1960 - Jul 1986) Thomas, Danny (May 29, 1923 - Jan 1985) Thomas, Danny (Jun 10, 1948 - Jul 17, 1996) Thomas, Danny (Dec 18, 1952 - Jun 24, 2008) Thomas, Danny (Feb 29, 1952 - May 2, 2010) Thomas, Danny (May 25, 1957 - Jun 9, 2010) Thomas, Danny (Sep 19, 1961 - Jan 20, 2010) Thomas, Danny (Dec 9, 1929 - Sep 19, 2009)

Other Thomas Family Biographies

Thomas, Arthur (Born Jun 9, 1899) Kennamer, Clara (Born May 3, 1869) Thomas, Ida Pauline (Born Aug 3, 1874) Thomas, Fannie (Jun 11, 1853 - Feb 16, 1940) Thomas, Frenly (1876 - Jul 2, 1959) Thomas, Edward (Born 1894) Thomas, G.w. Thomas, William (Born Apr 9, 1883) Thomas, Franklin (Born Sep 6, 1845) Thomas, Roy (Born Mar 13, 1898)

Thomas, James A. (Born Apr 13, 1873) Thomas, Angelette (Born Apr 16, 1856) Neal, Amanda (Dec 5, 1874 - Mar 31, 1932) Hancock, Minnie (Born Dec 14, 1878) Caplinger, Mary (Born Jun 15, 1885) Brown, Maude (Born Nov 21, 1888) Thomas, Robert (Born Feb 20, 1876) Thomas, Mary Jane (Born Feb 28, 1879) Thomas, Pearl (Born Nov 24, 1891) Thomas, Lula (Born 1879)

Other people named Daniele Thomas - Dottie Thomas

Daniele - Darcie Thomas Darcus - Darniel Thomas Darold - Datha Thomas Dathan - Dawnya Thomas Dawson - Deanne Thomas Deannie - Decora Thomas Dedrick - Delavergne Thomas Delbert - Deller Thomas Dellie - Deloris Thomas Delorne - Dema Thomas Demarcus - Deneise Thomas Deneka - Denzel Thomas

Denzil - Deroy Thomas Derral - Dessalee Thomas Desser - Devora Thomas Devota - Dicie Thomas Dick - Dinetta Thomas Dinika - Dody Thomas Doie - Domet Thomas Domingo - Donn Thomas Donna - Dorce Thomas Dorcia - Dorladean Thomas Dorladeen - Dorsey Thomas Dorsie - Dottie Thomas

About the AncientFaces Community

Danny Thomas 1912 - 1991

Danny Thomas' History: 1912 - 1991

Introduction

Birthday

Ethnicity & Family History

Religious Beliefs

Military Service

Professional Career

Personal Life & Family

Death

Gravesite & Burial

Obituary

9 Memories, Stories & Photos about Danny

Danny Thomas' Family Tree & Friends

Danny Thomas' Family Tree

Danny's Friends

Other Danny Thomas Biographies

Other Thomas Family Biographies

Other people named Daniele Thomas - Dottie Thomas