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Bing Crosby

Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby (May 3, 1903 - October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor who is perhaps best known for his recording of the Irving Berlin song "White Christmas", which became one of the biggest-selling recordings of all time. He had 21 other gold records; some of these include "I'll be home for Christmas", "Too-Ra-Lo-Ra-Loo-Ral" and "Swinging on a Star". He appeared in dozens of movies from the 1930s - 1960s.

Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington and grew up with Al Rinker, the younger brother of singer Mildred Bailey. Crosby and Rinker used Bailey's connections and joined Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys almost straight from school.

His film debut was in King of Jazz (1930), and from then on he was a top stage and radio performer and a top-selling record artist. He played an important part in the development of recording technology.

Films include Holiday Inn (1942), White Christmas (1954), Going My Way (Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Actor, 1944), The Bells of St. Mary's and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court( 1949), The Country Girl (1956), the 'Road' pictures (with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour including: Road to Singapore (1940), Road to Zanzibar (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), Road to Utopia (1946), Road to Rio (1948), Road to Bali (1952) and Road to Hong Kong (1962) (minus Dorothy Lamour).

Crosby was a keen amateur golfer, who appeared in many charity events. It was after a round of golf in Spain in 1977 that he collapsed and died from a massive heart attack. Crosby had been married twice (his second wife, actress Kathryn Grant, being considerably younger), and effectively had two families, his children from the marriages being of different generations. After his death, his eldest son from his first marriage wrote a controversial memoir depicting him as an autocratic and abusive father.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2003.

Bing Crosby Facts

Birth NameHarry Lillis Crosby
OccupationActor
BirthdayMay 3, 1903
SignTaurus
BirthplaceTacoma, Washington, USA
Date of deathOctober 14, 1977 (age 74)
Height5' 8" (1m73)  How tall is Bing Crosby compared to you?
Awards1960 Golden Globe Awards: Cecil B. DeMille Award
1945 Academy Awards: Best Actor (for Going My Way)

Selected Filmography

Overboard
Great Entertainers: The Show Stoppers
The Adventures of Ichabod And Mr. Toad
Road To Bali
White Christmas
High Society
The Road to Hollywood
The Tonight Show Vault Series 12 DVD collection starring Johnny Carson
Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad
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