Background
Durante, Jimmy was born on February 10, 1893 in New York City. Son of Barthelmeo and Rosa Durante.
Durante, Jimmy was born on February 10, 1893 in New York City. Son of Barthelmeo and Rosa Durante.
Educated schools of New York City.
; married second, Margie Little, December 1960;Alicia. First worked in father’s barbershop, then as photoengraver. Piano player, Coney Island at age of 17 years.
Organized 5 piece band, 1916.
Opened Club Durante with Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton as partners (Lou Clayton is credited with coining the famous nickname, Schnozzola). The partners later formed comedy team, Clayton, Jackson and Durante, playing in night clubs, 1930.
Made Broadway debut at Loew’s State Theatre, 1927, in Show Girl (Ziegfeld), 1928, The New Yorkers (Cole Porter), 1930. Appeared in Hollywood pictures: Get Rich Quick Wallingford.
The Cuban Love Song; Her Cardboard Lover.
The Passionate Plumber. And others; returned to New York City, and starred with Ethel Merman in Strike Maine Pink, 1934. Motion pictures also include: Student Tour.
George White’s Scandals.
Land Without Music; Carnival. Start Cheering; Sally, Irene and Mary.
Music Foreign Millions. On an island with You.
Roadhouse Nights, Two Girls and a Sailor, Two Sisters From Boston, Ziegfield Follies, This Time for Keeps, The Great Rupert, Yellow Cab Manitoba, The Milkman, Jumbo, lieutenant’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Appeared at Paladium, London, 1936.
In Broadway musicals: Jumbo, 1936, Red, Hot and Blue, 1937. Entertainer at Copacabana, New York City night club, 1943.
Began on radio and had own show to 1950, when entered television November 1950.
Television shows include: All Star Revue, 1951, Colgate Comedy Hour, Texcao Star Theater, Club Oasis, others Television special Jimmy Durante Meets the Seven Lively Arts, 1965, Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters, 1969. Alternate guest-host The Hollywood Palace.
Married Jeanne Olsen, 1916 (deceased. Married second, Margie Little, December 1960.