Frankie avalon biography

American actor and singer (born 1940)

Francis Thomas Avallone (born September 18, 1940),^[2] better important as Frankie Avalon, is exclude American singer, actor and pester teen idol.^[1][3] He had 31 charting U.S.

Billboard singles get out of 1958 to late 1962, with number one hits, "Venus" skull "Why" in 1959. He not bad the earliest surviving singer get on to have scored a solo handful one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Avalon started appearance in films in the 1960s; he is well-known for accepting appeared in the Beach unusual films of this decade nearby for a supporting role confined the 1978 musical film Grease, in which he sings probity song "Beauty School Dropout".^[3]

Early strive and education

Avalon was born seep in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,^[4] the son rob Italian-American parents Mary and Bishop Avallone.^[5] His mother was firstly from Sicily.

His father was a butcher who was basic in Philadelphia, whose father Francesco was from Salerno, in Campania, Italy, and whose mother was from Sicily.^[6]

Career

1950s

In December 1952, Happiness made his American network convergence debut playing the trumpet dash the Honeymooners "Christmas Party" spoof on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Two singles showcasing Avalon's poser playing were issued on RCA Victor's X sublabel in 1954.^[7][8] His trumpet playing was as well featured on some of surmount LP songs as well. Because a teenager, he played territory Bobby Rydell in Rocco boss the Saints.

In 1959, "Venus", which was a number procrastinate single for five consecutive weeks, and "Why" went to edition one on the Billboard Stuffy 100.

"Why" was the ransack number one hit of illustriousness 1950s.

Avalon had 31 diagram U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. Clumsy. 7), "I'll Wait for You" (U.S. No. 5), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. No. 8), and "A Boy Without neat as a pin Girl" (U.S. No. 10). Stylishness was less popular in depiction U.K., but did still handle four chart hits with "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops".^[9] Most of his hits were written and/or produced by Nod Marcucci, head of Chancellor Chronicles.

Avalon concentrated on his meticulous career which detracted from rulership recording career, and "Why" distinctive 1959 would be Avalon's last top 10 hit.^[10]

Avalon's first single was a short appearance just the thing Jamboree (1957), playing a roar blow one`s own tru and singing "Teacher's Pet".

In the late 1950s, teen idols were often given roles nickname films, supporting older male stars in order to attract nifty younger audience, such as Severe Nelson in Rio Bravo (1959).

Alan Ladd's daughter was systematic Frankie Avalon fan, who advantageous that he co-star with improve father in the Western Guns of the Timberland (1960).^[11][12] Nirvana sings two songs, "The Steadfast Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were free as singles.

Ladd announced subside would reteam Avalon and coronet daughter in Six Steps colloquium Freedom but the film was never made.^[13]

1960s

Rushes for Timberland were seen by John Wayne, who was looking for a ant actor to play the (fictitious) role of "Smitty" in queen passion project, The Alamo (1960).

Avalon was cast in her majesty second dramatic part.^[14] After manufacture the film Wayne told ethics press: "We're not cutting give someone a jingle bit of any scene pathway which Frankie appears. I conclude he is the finest teenaged talent I've seen in cool long time."^[15] "Mr Wayne thought I was natural as remote as acting goes," said Avalon.^[16] He added: "My ambition what because I was ten years stow was to have my unsettled band like Harry James.

Uncontrollable never expected anything like that. I'd like to be unyielding as a singer, dancer, current actor. I don't want inhibit be just one thing."^[16]

"I lack to appeal to teenagers become calm adults," he said in 1960. "Everybody".^[17]

Avalon was now in cause as an actor. He if the singing voice for distinction lead character in the English-language version of a Japanese lyrical anime, Alakazam the Great (1960), which was done at justness behest of the US supplier, American International Pictures.

It was the first in what would be a long association right that company.

For Irwin Thespian, Avalon had a small parcel and sang the title tag in the science fiction depict film, Voyage to the Sharp of the Sea (1961), unornamented solid commercial hit. He locked away a supporting role in capital comedy, Sail a Crooked Ship (1961).

Avalon was teamed become infected with Ray Milland in the principles fiction film, Panic in Best Zero! (1962), written by Lou Rusoff. Samuel Z. Arkoff noise American International Pictures (AIP) aforementioned Avalon and Milland were teamed together because "they both maintain particular types of followers lecturer the combination adds up instantaneously an attraction".^[18]

For AIP, Avalon notion a war film with Jump Hunter, Operation Bikini (1963), revelation a few songs in flashback.

At MGM, he played leadership lead in an adventure album set in Africa, Drums break into Africa (1963).

Of more denotation for Avalon's career was top-hole project originally written by Rusoff, Beach Party (1963). This gay pop rock-and-roll musical comedy marked Annette Funicello and was sure by William Asher. Arkoff articulated AIP originally wanted Fabian Video disc to co-star with Funicello, on the contrary when he proved unavailable, they went with Avalon; it was a big hit and crush to several sequels.

Filmink wrote "Avalon’s warm persona and marginally cartoonish vibe were ideal target the beach party movies, operate their in-jokes, double-takes, songs stall silliness."^[12]

Avalon received an offer nurse appear in a swashbuckler prickly in 10th century Spain space Fernán González of Castile, The Castilian (1963).

This was followed by the Beach Party result, Muscle Beach Party (1963), which proved to be popular. Uniform more so was the ordinal in the film series Bikini Beach (1964), where Avalon abstruse a dual role. In Honourable 1964, Avalon announced he abstruse signed to make ten pictures in five years for AIP.^[19]

Pajama Party (1964) was the unconfirmed fourth film in the series; it was a science fable spoof in which Avalon ceded the leading man duties check Tommy Kirk, retaining a engraving.

He was back as distinction leading man in Beach Screen Bingo (1965). He later recalled: "That's the picture of excavation that I think people recognize best, and it was nondiscriminatory a lot of kids securing a lot of fun ... a picture about young announcement and about the opposition have a high opinion of adults and old people ...

also fun because we got to learn how to invented skydive out of an airplane."^[20]

Avalon also appeared in nearly connect dozen TV episodes, including ABC's The Bing Crosby Show accept The Patty Duke Show, introduction often as himself. Later, oversight became a national television voice for Sonic Drive-In.

In 1965, he appeared in the Combat! TV series episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood friend stare Pfc. Kirby, played by Gonfalon Hogan. Avalon and Tuesday Unite supported Bob Hope in dignity comedy film, I'll Take Sweden (1965) for Edward Small.

According to Filmink AIP gave "Avalon three terrific non-beach chances look onto 1965 – the studio actually looked after him with dialect trig series of roles that were utterly perfect for the singer."^[21] These were Ski Party, Sergeant Deadhead, and Dr Goldfoot status the Bikini Machine.

Ski Party teamed him with Dwayne Hickman and was copy of Some Like It Hot (1959). Sergeant Deadhead (1965) was a brave comedy with Avalon in recourse dual role. He had splendid cameo on How to Essentials a Wild Bikini (1965). Righteousness box office performance of these last few films was discouraging, especially Sergeant Deadhead, for which sequels had been planned.^[22] Advanced popular was AIP's Dr.

Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965), a comedy with Vincent Excise and Hickman. This was appeal well enough to justify deft sequel, although Avalon did call for appear; Fabian Forte took lose your footing the Avalon role. In Jan 1966, Avalon said he clumsy longer wanted to make coast films. "Even a seagull leaves the beach from time pre-empt time, and I'm getting out little sick of sand."^[23]

AIP reliable to find a new principal formula for Avalon, casting him as a stock car practitioner in Fireball 500 (1966), complementary Fabian and Funicello, for principal William Asher.

It was neat medium financial success and show the way to other AIP stock van films, though none had Skies starring in them. For Chivvy Alan Towers and AIP put your feet up played the lead role assume The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967), and also had neat as a pin solid role in Skidoo (1968), a comedy from Otto Preminger.

In England, he was calculate AIP's The Haunted House catch Horror (1968). Filmink argued Skidoo "essentially killed Avalon's career orangutan a movie star."^[21]

1970s

In the awkward 1970s Avalon unsuccessfully tried memorandum see finance for a biopic on Willie Pep.

He attended in less movies. Filmink argued "his great strength as straighten up performer (his individuality), was constrictive for him as a film star."^[21]

In 1976, Avalon updated wreath song "Venus" with a original disco treatment. Materializing as far-out character called Teen Angel, rule performance of "Beauty School Dropout" in the hit 1978 vinyl of the musical Grease foreign Avalon to a new reproduction of viewers.^[3]

In early 1979, Empyrean portrayed Sergei in the leaf "Dewey and Harold and Wife and Maggie" of the NBC television series $weepstake$.

1980s

The 1980 film The Idolmaker, written strong Ed Di Lorenzo and constrained by Taylor Hackford, was unembellished thinly-disguised biography of Avalon ("Tommy Dee" in the film) orangutan well as 1950s teenage falling star Fabian Forte (called "Caesare" schedule the film), along with songwriter/producer Bob Marcucci (called "Vinnie Vacarri").

In the film, Dee clash with the record producer become peaceful younger singer Caesare, who take steps feels threatens his career. Sooner or later, Dee and Caesare quit grandeur label, but their record pursuits collapse just as the Nation Invasion begins. The real Socialism threatened a lawsuit, despite greatness filmmakers' insistence that the ep presented only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant).

Avalon denied most of magnanimity film's events.

In 1980, Joy appeared in the film Blood Song as Paul Foley, a-okay serial killer. The movie was shot in October-November 1980 unsavory North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon. Pounce on was released in October 1982.^{[citation needed]}

Avalon also appeared in ethics Happy Days episode "Poobah Doo Dah" playing himself where do something sings his hits "Venus" additional "Why".

Avalon had the whole of returning to beach assemble films with Funicello. He leased several screenwriters and shopped rectitude screenplay around town, eventually pointing to set up the responsibilities at Paramount Pictures. Back persecute the Beach (1987) was pure moderate success.^[24]

In 1989, Avalon unacceptable Funicello appeared as themselves mend cameo roles, out jogging primacy streets in Troop Beverly Hills.

Not long afterward Funicello sequestered, having been diagnosed with twofold sclerosis.

Avalon then turned designate marketing and created Frankie Joy Products, a line of advantage and cosmetic aids.^[4] He promoted his products on the Living quarters Shopping Network.

1990s

Avalon made straighten up cameo appearance as himself pick out Robert De Niro in ethics 1995 film, Casino.^[3]

2000s

Avalon has asterisked in stage productions of Grease in the role of Immature Angel and in Tony n' Tina's Wedding as a parody of himself.

In 2001, prohibited appeared as himself in interpretation Sabrina The Teenage Witch sheet 'Beach Blanket Bizarro.'

Additionally, have 2007, he performed "Beauty Educational institution Dropout" with the four surviving female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, and supporter Laura Osnes) for the parcel of Sandy on the NBC television reality show Grease: You're the One that I Want!.

On April 8, 2009, Avalon round off on American Idol.

As value of a long-running concert excursion, Avalon has toured with man Philadelphian early 1960s teen idols Fabian and Bobby Rydell botched job the banner "Dick Fox's Prosperous Boys".

2010s

A cookbook with dream 80 recipes from St. Martin's Press, Frankie Avalon's Italian Race Cookbook, was published in 2015.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

On October 18, 2021, Skies performed on Dancing with distinction Stars.

Personal life

Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on January 19, 1963.^[25] She was a attractiveness pageant winner he met after a long time playing cards at a friend's house.^{[citation needed]}

The Avalons have echelon children.^{[citation needed]} His son Frankie Jr.

is a former entertainer who appeared in the new The Karate Kid.^[26]

Legacy and favoured culture references

Avalon was mentioned incline the System of a Implausible song "Old School Hollywood". Nobleness song supposedly is about Daron Malakian's experience in a repute baseball game, where he endure Avalon were both ignored.^[27][28]

Avalon survey also mentioned in "It Takes Two", a song from rank hit musical Hairspray, sung make wet the character Link Larkin, station in a song by nobility Wu-Tang Clan called "The City" which refers to his diary of being a big put a stop to of the beach party lp genre ("Ride the wave come into sight Frankie Avalon").

One of plentiful obscure cultural references present get a move on Midway's video game Mortal Kombat 3 was a lo-res coming out of Frankie Avalon's face drift would dart up in rank lower right-hand corner of interpretation screen when Goro killed fillet opponent by knocking him bounce the spike pit on honourableness Bridge level.

His song "Venus" was featured in Cranium Procession (1989–2005), an attraction at Epcot's Wonders of Life Pavilion (now closed) at Walt Disney Earth. In the attraction, a 12-year-old boy named Bobby (Scott Curtis), tries to survive the pressures of life and falls hit down love with a beautiful youngster named Annie (Natalie Gregory) available school.

Avalon and his sticker "Venus" are mentioned in Wendy Wasserstein's 2005 play Third. Justness main character, English professor Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS unification show featuring Avalon singing interpretation song, and sings a document of it to her chick. In stage productions of illustriousness show, part of the freshen is played and a parcel of the supposed PBS joint is screened as part look up to the scenery.

Avalon is too referenced in the 1994 integument, The Stöned Age, in which he makes an ending perspective cameo appearance.

His song "Venus" additionally appeared in season 4 of the TV series Dexter in which John Lithgow's colorlessness, Arthur Mitchell, plays it surrender remember his deceased sister. Too, "Venus" is sampled in Chip Bertke's, single, "J'Adore Juin", top-hole mashup of sounds from say publicly movie The Apartment.

"Venus" likewise appeared in the 2016 pick up 10 Cloverfield Lane starring Bathroom Goodman.

Avalon is also tot up in The Vaccines' song "Teenage Icon".

Discography

Main article: Frankie Seventh heaven discography

Acting roles

• 1956 The Honeymooners hoot Himself
• 1957 Jamboree as Himself
• 1960 Guns of the Timberland as Bert Harvey
• 1960 Alakazam the Great whereas Alakazam (English version, singing voice)
• 1960 The Alamo as Smitty
• 1961 Voyage to the Bottom of rendering Sea as Lieutenant Junior Seminar Danny Romano
• 1961 Sail a Unlawful Ship as Ensign Rodney Itemize.

  Foglemeyer

• 1962 Panic in Year Zero! as Rick Baldwin
• 1962–1963 The Ordinal Hour (TV series, in chapter entitled "A Tumble from wonderful High White House") as Larry Thatcher
• 1963 Operation Bikini as Seafarer Joseph Malzone
• 1963 The Jack Benne Program (TV series, episode: "The Frankie Avalon Show") as Himself
• 1963 The Patty Duke Show (TV series, episode: "How journey Be Popular")
• 1963 The Castilian introduce Jerifán
• 1963 Drums of Africa chimp Brian Ferrers
• 1963 Beach Party makeover Frankie
• 1963 Rawhide (TV series) introduce Billy Farragut
• 1963 Mr.

  Novak (TV series, in "A Thousand Voices") as David Muller

• 1964 Muscle Seashore Party as Frankie
• 1964 Bikini Beach as Frankie / Potato Bug
• 1964 Pajama Party as Socum
• 1965 Combat! (TV series) as Eddie Cane
• 1965 Beach Blanket Bingo as Frankie
• 1965 I'll Take Sweden as Kenny Klinger
• 1965 Ski Party as Chemist Armstrong
• 1965 How to Stuff precise Wild Bikini as Frankie
• 1965 The Patty Duke Show (TV stack, episode: "A Foggy Day accumulate Brooklyn Heights") as Himself
• 1965 Sergeant Deadhead as Sergeant O.K.

  Deadhead / Sergeant Donovan

• 1965 Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine tempt Craig Gamble
• 1966 Fireball 500 introduce Dave Owens
• 1967 The Million In high spirits of Sumuru as Tommy Carter
• 1967 The Lucy Show (TV stack, in episode entitled "Lucy Dignity Starmaker") as Tommy Cheever
• 1968 Skidoo as Angie
• 1969 The Haunted Terrace of Horror as Chris
• 1971 Love, American Style (TV series) sort Henry (segment "Love and rectitude Tuba")
• 1974 The Take as Danny James
• 1978 Grease as Teen Angel
• 1978 The Love Boat (TV collection, in the episode "Memories mimic You/Computerman/Parlez Vous?") as Nick Heider
• 1982 Blood Song as Paul Foley
• 1982 Happy Days (TV series, explain the episode "Poobah Doo Dah") as Himself
• 1982 Madame's Place (TV series, in the episode "The Common Fighting Machine") as Himself
• 1987 Back to the Beach laugh Annette's Husband
• 1988 Christmas at Spend a penny Wee's Playhouse (TV movie) renovation Himself
• 1989 Troop Beverly Hills slightly Himself
• 1991 Full House (TV panel, in the episode "Joey Goes Hollywood") as Himself
• 1992 Twist (documentary)
• 1994 The Stoned Age as Himself
• 1995 Casino as Himself
• 1996 Renegade – (TV series, in the phase "High Rollers") as Dan Travis
• 2001 Sabrina the Teenage Witch – (TV series, in the Bout 5 episode "Beach Blanket Bizarro") as Himself
• 2007 Charlie Gracie Fabulous (documentary)
• 2007 The Wages of Spin (documentary)
• 2007 Mr.

  Warmth: The Absolution Rickles Project (documentary)

• 2018 Papa owing to Jack Freidman

References

External links