Jimmy Durante was an American singer, pianist, comedian, and actor who was one of America’s most familiar and popular personalities of the 1920s through to the 1970s.

He started his career in vaudeville and went on to have a successful career in radio, television, and film. Durante was known for his distinctive gravelly voice and his catchphrases, including “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are” and “Everybody wants ta get inta de act.”

Jimmy Durante began working in vaudeville at the age of 14. He soon developed a distinctive comedic style and became known for his improvisational skills. His career took off in the 1920s. He appeared in a number of Broadway shows, including the Ziegfeld Follies. He also started appearing in films, including The Strong Man (1926) and Show Girl (1929).

Durante’s popularity continued to grow in the 1930s. By 1934, Durante had a major record hit with his own novelty composition, “Inka Dinka Doo“, with lyrics by Ben Ryan. It became his theme song for the rest of his life. He also had his own radio show and appeared in a number of successful films, including It Happened in Brooklyn (1947) and The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942).

Durante’s career began to decline in the 1950s although he made a comeback in the 1960s with a starring role in the television series The Jimmy Durante Show. He also appeared in a number of films, including Airport (1970) and Jumbo (1962).

Durante retired from show business in 1972.

Jimmy Durante Backing Tracks – As Time Goes By  …  Glory Of Love  …  Inka Dinka Doo  …   Make Someone Happy  …  Smile  …  

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