Sonny King

Background

He was born as Luigi Antonio Schiavone on April 1, 1922 in Brooklyn, New New York

Career

He was the sidekick of Jimmy Durante for 28 years until Durante"s death in 1980. They appeared together on The Editor Sullivan Show five times in the 1960s. King shared a New York apartment with Dean Martin when the two were struggling entertainers, and is credited with introducing Martin to a young comedian Jerry Lewis.

King moved to Las Vegas in the early 1950s and was a fixture on the strip and local clubs until his death on February 3, 2006 from cancer.

He was 83 years old. His Musical Director was well known Drummer and Singer, Gary Olds. They did one movie together, "Lost in Vegas", that has yet to be released.

King had five children. Craig Unger, Shannon Ward, Antoinette Schiavone, Louis Schiavone II and Christopher Schiavone.

Connections

friends:

Rat Pack