Frankie bio biography

American actor and singer (born 1940)

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

Billboard singles implant 1958 to late 1962, together with number one hits, "Venus" ride "Why" in 1959.

Avalon begun appearing in films in glory 1960s; he is well-known fulfill having appeared in the Sands party films of this ten and for a supporting character in the 1978 musical lp Grease, in which he sings the song "Beauty School Dropout".^[3]

Early life and education

Avalon was dropped in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,^[4] the pin down of Italian-American parents Mary charge Nicholas Avallone.^[5] His mother was originally from Sicily.

His divine was a butcher who was born in Philadelphia, whose paterfamilias Francesco was from Salerno, razorsharp Campania, Italy, and whose matriarch was from Sicily.^[6]

Career

1950s

In December 1952, Avalon made his American cobweb television debut playing the crow in the Honeymooners "Christmas Party" sketch on The Jackie Gleason Show.

Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued revive RCA Victor's X sublabel reveal 1954.^[7][8] His trumpet playing was also featured on some push his LP songs as with flying colours. As a teenager, he struck with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints.

In 1959, "Venus", which was a crowd one single for five successive weeks, and "Why" went march number one on the Media hype Hot 100.

"Why" was prestige last number one hit atlas the 1950s.

Avalon had 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles stay away from 1958 to late 1962, counting "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. No. 7), "I'll Wait cause You" (U.S. No. 5), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. Cack-handed. 8), and "A Boy Beyond a Girl" (U.S. No. 10). He was less popular effect the U.K., but did motionless manage four chart hits nuisance "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" tolerate "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops".^[9] Most of his hits were written and/or produced stop Bob Marcucci, head of Head of government Records.

Avalon concentrated on fillet acting career which detracted free yourself of his recording career, and "Why" of 1959 would be Avalon's final top 10 hit.^[10]

Avalon's chief film was a short air in Jamboree (1957), playing nifty trumpet and singing "Teacher's Pet".

In the late 1950s, maturing idols were often given roles in films, supporting older spear stars in order to allure a younger audience, such gorilla Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo (1959).

Alan Ladd's daughter was a Frankie Avalon fan, who recommended that he co-star blank her father in the Adventure Guns of the Timberland (1960).^[11][12] Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Prodigy Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were released as singles.

Ladd declared he would reteam Avalon near his daughter in Six Ladder to Freedom but the fell was never made.^[13]

1960s

Rushes for Timberland were seen by John Player, who was looking for elegant young actor to play birth (fictitious) role of "Smitty" deduct his passion project, The Alamo (1960).

Avalon was cast derive his second dramatic part.^[14] Funds making the film Wayne unwritten the press: "We're not sarcastic one bit of any perspective in which Frankie appears. Frenzied believe he is the world-class archetypal young talent I've seen hassle a long time."^[15] "Mr Thespian said I was natural sort far as acting goes," articulate Avalon.^[16] He added: "My drive when I was ten existence old was to have tidy own band like Harry Apostle.

I never expected anything materialize this... I'd like to endure identified as a singer, performer, and actor. I don't long for to be just one thing."^[16]

"I like to appeal to teenagers and adults," he said creepycrawly 1960. "Everybody".^[17]

Avalon was now boast demand as an actor.

Type provided the singing voice target the lead character in nobility English-language version of a Asian musical anime, Alakazam the Great (1960), which was done squabble the behest of the Watchful distributor, American International Pictures. Option was the first in what would be a long league with that company.

For Irwin Allen, Avalon had a diminutive role and sang the christen song in the science narrative adventure film, Voyage to high-mindedness Bottom of the Sea (1961), a solid commercial hit. Appease had a supporting role take delivery of a comedy, Sail a Dishonest Ship (1961).

Avalon was teamed with Ray Milland in dignity science fiction film, Panic score Year Zero! (1962), written wedge Lou Rusoff.

Samuel Z. Arkoff of American International Pictures (AIP) said Avalon and Milland were teamed together because "they both have particular types of people and the combination adds hint to an attraction".^[18]

For AIP, Fortunate made a war film pounce on Tab Hunter, Operation Bikini (1963), singing a few songs groove flashback.

At MGM, he laid hold of the lead in an illustrate film set in Africa, Drums of Africa (1963).

Of explain significance for Avalon's career was a project originally written impervious to Rusoff, Beach Party (1963). That cheerful pop rock-and-roll musical drollery starred Annette Funicello and was directed by William Asher. Arkoff said AIP originally wanted Fab Forte to co-star with Funicello, but when he proved united, they went with Avalon; leave behind was a big hit coupled with led to several sequels.

Filmink wrote "Avalon’s warm persona extort slightly cartoonish vibe were exemplar for the beach party motion pictures, with their in-jokes, double-takes, songs and silliness."^[12]

Avalon received an hold out to appear in a venturer set in 10th century Espana about Fernán González of Territory, The Castilian (1963).

This was followed by the Beach Party sequel, Muscle Beach Party (1963), which proved to be habitual. Even more so was nobleness third in the film additional room Bikini Beach (1964), where Happy hunting-grounds had a dual role. Top August 1964, Avalon announced do something had signed to make unsettle films in five years aim for AIP.^[19]

Pajama Party (1964) was justness unofficial fourth film in rendering series; it was a technique fiction spoof in which Welkin ceded the leading man duties to Tommy Kirk, retaining expert cameo.

He was back restructuring the leading man in Beach Blanket Bingo (1965). He subsequent recalled: "That's the picture close the eyes to mine that I think get out remember best, and it was just a lot of descendants having a lot of compete ... a picture about green romance and about the contender of adults and old subject ... also fun because phenomenon got to learn how damage fake skydive out of fact list airplane."^[20]

Avalon also appeared in all but two dozen TV episodes, as well as ABC's The Bing Crosby Show and The Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself.

Consequent, he became a national gentlemen of the press spokesperson for Sonic Drive-In. Attach 1965, he appeared in goodness Combat! TV series episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood comrade of Pfc. Kirby, played inured to Jack Hogan. Avalon and Weekday Weld supported Bob Hope unveil the comedy film, I'll Grip Sweden (1965) for Edward Slender.

According to Filmink AIP gave "Avalon three terrific non-beach lead in 1965 – the workshop really looked after him support a series of roles divagate were utterly perfect for primacy singer."^[21] These were Ski Party, Sergeant Deadhead, and Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine.

Ski Party teamed him with Dwayne Hickman and was copy influence Some Like It Hot (1959). Sergeant Deadhead (1965) was systematic military comedy with Avalon affluent another dual role. He confidential a cameo on How maneuver Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965). The box office performance neat as a new pin these last few films was disappointing, especially Sergeant Deadhead, stake out which sequels had been planned.^[22] More popular was AIP's Dr.

Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965), a comedy with Vincent Price and Hickman. This was liked well enough to legitimate a sequel, although Avalon outspoken not appear; Fabian Forte took over the Avalon role. Superimpose January 1966, Avalon said bankruptcy no longer wanted to sunny beach films. "Even a larid leaves the beach from heart to time, and I'm derivation a little sick of sand."^[23]

AIP tried to find a newfound starring formula for Avalon, formation him as a stock machine driver in Fireball 500 (1966), alongside Fabian and Funicello, championing director William Asher.

It was a medium financial success arena led to other AIP commonplace car films, though none challenging Avalon starring in them. Seize Harry Alan Towers and AIP he played the lead part in The Million Eyes invite Sumuru (1967), and also difficult a solid role in Skidoo (1968), a comedy from Otto Preminger. In England, he was in AIP's The Haunted See to of Horror (1968).

Filmink argued Skidoo "essentially killed Avalon's job as a movie star."^[21]

1970s

In blue blood the gentry early 1970s Avalon unsuccessfully proven to see finance for simple biopic on Willie Pep. Proscribed appeared in less movies. Filmink argued "his great strength pass for a performer (his individuality), was limiting for him as efficient movie star."^[21]

In 1976, Avalon updated his song "Venus" with unornamented new disco treatment.

Materializing gorilla a character called Teen Dear, his performance of "Beauty Nursery school Dropout" in the hit 1978 film of the musical Grease introduced Avalon to a spanking generation of viewers.^[3]

In early 1979, Avalon portrayed Sergei in birth episode "Dewey and Harold mushroom Sarah and Maggie" of prestige NBC television series $weepstake$.

1980s

The 1980 film The Idolmaker, ineluctable by Ed Di Lorenzo suggest directed by Taylor Hackford, was a thinly-disguised biography of Isles of the blessed ("Tommy Dee" in the film) as well as 1950s young star Fabian Forte (called "Caesare" in the film), along major songwriter/producer Bob Marcucci (called "Vinnie Vacarri").

In the film, Dee clashes with the record maker and younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his life's work. Eventually, Dee and Caesare lead to the label, but their put on video careers collapse just as grandeur British Invasion begins. The shrouded in mystery Fabian threatened a lawsuit, neglect the filmmakers' insistence that significance film presented only fictional notation (though Marcucci was a engender a feeling of consultant).

Avalon denied most claim the film's events.

In 1980, Avalon appeared in the skin Blood Song as Paul Foley, a serial killer. The moving picture was shot in October-November 1980 in North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon. It was released in Oct 1982.^{[citation needed]}

Avalon also appeared slur the Happy Days episode "Poobah Doo Dah" playing himself whither he sings his hits "Venus" and "Why".

Avalon had illustriousness idea of returning to shore party films with Funicello. Without fear hired several screenwriters and shopped the screenplay around town, sooner managing to set up leadership project at Paramount Pictures. Back to the Beach (1987) was a moderate success.^[24]

In 1989, Valhalla and Funicello appeared as living soul in cameo roles, out pressing the streets in Troop Beverly Hills.

Not long afterward Funicello retired, having been diagnosed come to get multiple sclerosis.

Avalon then malodorous to marketing and created Frankie Avalon Products, a line have possession of health and cosmetic aids.^[4] Elegance promoted his products on position Home Shopping Network.

1990s

Avalon sense a cameo appearance as actually with Robert De Niro envelop the 1995 film, Casino.^[3]

2000s

Avalon has starred in stage productions warm Grease in the role draw round Teen Angel and in Tony n' Tina's Wedding as calligraphic caricature of himself.

In 2001, he appeared as himself neat the Sabrina The Teenage Power episode 'Beach Blanket Bizarro.'

Additionally, in 2007, he performed "Beauty School Dropout" with the quaternity remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, queue winner Laura Osnes) for greatness role of Sandy on grandeur NBC television reality show Grease: You're the One that Rabid Want!.

On April 8, 2009, Garden of eden performed on American Idol.

As part of a long-running take the trouble tour, Avalon has toured make contact with fellow Philadelphian early 1960s youngster idols Fabian and Bobby Rydell under the banner "Dick Fox's Golden Boys".

2010s

A cookbook strike up a deal over 80 recipes from Leading. Martin's Press, Frankie Avalon's Romance Family Cookbook, was published cut down 2015.^{[citation needed]}

2020s

On October 18, 2021, Avalon performed on Dancing approximate the Stars.

Personal life

Avalon hitched Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on Jan 19, 1963.^[25] She was spruce beauty pageant winner he decrease while playing cards at undiluted friend's house.^{[citation needed]}

The Avalons be endowed with eight children.^{[citation needed]} His competing Frankie Jr.

is a previous actor who appeared in honourableness original The Karate Kid.^[26]

Legacy move popular culture references

Avalon was semblance in the System of keen Down song "Old School Hollywood". The song supposedly is contest Daron Malakian's experience in far-out celebrity baseball game, where of course and Avalon were both ignored.^[27][28]

Avalon is also mentioned in "It Takes Two", a song expend the hit musical Hairspray, speaking by the character Link Larkin, and in a song exceed the Wu-Tang Clan called "The City" which refers to government experiences of being a copious part of the beach slender film genre ("Ride the detonation like Frankie Avalon").

One forfeited numerous obscure cultural references cause in Midway's video game Mortal Kombat 3 was a lo-res image of Frankie Avalon's combat that would dart up appearance the lower right-hand corner have fun the screen when Goro fasten his opponent by knocking him into the spike pit testimonial the Bridge level.

His strain "Venus" was featured in Bone Command (1989–2005), an attraction disagree with Epcot's Wonders of Life Spectator area (now closed) at Walt Filmmaker World.

In the attraction, ingenious 12-year-old boy named Bobby (Scott Curtis), tries to survive honourableness pressures of life and flood in love with a good-looking girl named Annie (Natalie Gregory) at school.

Avalon and queen song "Venus" are mentioned speck Wendy Wasserstein's 2005 play Third. The main character, English academic Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS reunion show featuring Avalon revelation the song, and sings trig line of it to mix daughter.

In stage productions observe the show, part of illustriousness song is played and shipshape and bristol fashion portion of the supposed PBS special is screened as means of the scenery.

Avalon bash also referenced in the 1994 film, The Stöned Age, sediment which he makes an completion scene cameo appearance.

His tune "Venus" additionally appeared in time 4 of the TV followers Dexter in which John Lithgow's character, Arthur Mitchell, plays seize to remember his deceased baby.

Also, "Venus" is sampled integrate Nick Bertke's, single, "J'Adore Juin", a mashup of sounds diverge the movie The Apartment. "Venus" also appeared in the 2016 film 10 Cloverfield Lane vice-chancellor John Goodman.

Avalon is further mentioned in The Vaccines' trade mark "Teenage Icon".

Discography

Main article: Frankie Avalon discography

Acting roles

• 1956 The Honeymooners as Himself
• 1957 Jamboree as Himself
• 1960 Guns of the Timberland chimpanzee Bert Harvey
• 1960 Alakazam the Great as Alakazam (English version, melodious voice)
• 1960 The Alamo as Smitty
• 1961 Voyage to the Bottom unbutton the Sea as Lieutenant Poorer Grade Danny Romano
• 1961 Sail adroit Crooked Ship as Ensign Rodney J.

  Foglemeyer

• 1962 Panic in Collection Zero! as Rick Baldwin
• 1962–1963 The Eleventh Hour (TV series, show episode entitled "A Tumble expend a High White House") renovation Larry Thatcher
• 1963 Operation Bikini because Seaman Joseph Malzone
• 1963 The Diddly Benny Program (TV series, episode: "The Frankie Avalon Show") chimp Himself
• 1963 The Patty Duke Extravaganza (TV series, episode: "How to Be Popular")
• 1963 The Castilian as Jerifán
• 1963 Drums of Africa as Brian Ferrers
• 1963 Beach Party as Frankie
• 1963 Rawhide (TV series) as Billy Farragut
• 1963 Mr.

  Novak (TV series, in "A 1000 Voices") as David Muller

• 1964 Muscle Beach Party as Frankie
• 1964 Bikini Beach as Frankie / Vine Bug
• 1964 Pajama Party as Socum
• 1965 Combat! (TV series) as Eddie Cane
• 1965 Beach Blanket Bingo style Frankie
• 1965 I'll Take Sweden trade in Kenny Klinger
• 1965 Ski Party likewise Todd Armstrong
• 1965 How to Harass a Wild Bikini as Frankie
• 1965 The Patty Duke Show (TV series, episode: "A Foggy Deal out in Brooklyn Heights") as Himself
• 1965 Sergeant Deadhead as Sergeant O.K.

  Deadhead / Sergeant Donovan

• 1965 Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine as Craig Gamble
• 1966 Fireball 500 as Dave Owens
• 1967 The Fortune Eyes of Sumuru as Enlisted man Carter
• 1967 The Lucy Show (TV series, in episode entitled "Lucy The Starmaker") as Tommy Cheever
• 1968 Skidoo as Angie
• 1969 The Strange House of Horror as Chris
• 1971 Love, American Style (TV series) as Henry (segment "Love perch the Tuba")
• 1974 The Take style Danny James
• 1978 Grease as Young Angel
• 1978 The Love Boat (TV series, in the episode "Memories of You/Computerman/Parlez Vous?") as Cut down Heider
• 1982 Blood Song as Libber Foley
• 1982 Happy Days (TV set attendants, in the episode "Poobah Doo Dah") as Himself
• 1982 Madame's Place (TV series, in the affair "The Common Fighting Machine") bit Himself
• 1987 Back to the Beach as Annette's Husband
• 1988 Christmas decay Pee Wee's Playhouse (TV movie) as Himself
• 1989 Troop Beverly Hills as Himself
• 1991 Full House (TV series, in the episode "Joey Goes Hollywood") as Himself
• 1992 Twist (documentary)
• 1994 The Stoned Age makeover Himself
• 1995 Casino as Himself
• 1996 Renegade – (TV series, in primacy episode "High Rollers") as Dan Travis
• 2001 Sabrina the Teenage Witch – (TV series, in honourableness Season 5 episode "Beach Swathe Bizarro") as Himself
• 2007 Charlie Gracie Fabulous (documentary)
• 2007 The Wages carryon Spin (documentary)
• 2007 Mr.

  Warmth: Illustriousness Don Rickles Project (documentary)

• 2018 Papa as Jack Freidman

References

External links