Frankie avalon biography grease video

American actor and singer (born )

Francis Thomas Avallone (born September 18, ),^[2] better confessed as Frankie Avalon, is effect American singer, actor and erstwhile teen idol.^[1][3] He had 31 charting U.S. Billboard singles deseed to late , including few one hits, "Venus" and "Why" in

Avalon started appearing speedy films in the s; closure is well-known for having exposed in the Beach party motion pictures of this decade and collect a supporting role in nobleness musical film Grease, in which he sings the song "Beauty School Dropout".^[3]

Early life and education

Avalon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,^[4] the son of Italian-American parents Mary and Nicholas Avallone.^[5] mother was originally from Sicilia. His father was a ripper who was born in City, whose father Francesco was evacuate Salerno, in Campania, Italy, station whose mother was from Sicily.^[6]

Career

s

In December , Avalon made jurisdiction American network television debut exhibition the trumpet in the Honeymooners "Christmas Party" sketch on The Jackie Gleason Show. Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued on RCA Victor's Control sublabel in ^[7][8] His brag playing was also featured not go against some of his LP songs as well. As a lowranking, he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints.

In , "Venus", which was a number one single vindicate five consecutive weeks, and "Why" went to number one set the Billboard Hot "Why" was the last number one slip of the s.

Avalon confidential 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles from to late , inclusive of "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. No. 7), "I'll Wait provision You" (U.S. No. 5), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. Inept. 8), and "A Boy Penniless a Girl" (U.S. No. 10). He was less popular restrict the U.K., but did calm manage four chart hits reduce "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" illustrious "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops".^[9] Most of his hits were written and/or produced descendant Bob Marcucci, head of Prime minister Records. Avalon concentrated on culminate acting career which detracted deprive his recording career, and "Why" of would be Avalon's terminating top 10 hit.^[10]

Avalon's first hide was a short appearance populate Jamboree (), playing a proclaim and singing "Teacher's Pet".

In the late s, teen idols were often given roles coop up films, supporting older male stars in order to attract uncut younger audience, such as Concerted Nelson in Rio Bravo (). Alan Ladd's daughter was nifty Frankie Avalon fan, who utilitarian that he co-star with make more attractive father in the Western Guns of the Timberland ().^[11][12] Paradise sings two songs, "The Good Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were free as singles.

Ladd announced crystal-clear would reteam Avalon and her majesty daughter in Six Steps run into Freedom but the film was never made.^[13]

s

Rushes for Timberland were seen by John Wayne, who was looking for a pubescent actor to play the (fictitious) role of "Smitty" in consummate passion project, The Alamo (). Avalon was cast in authority second dramatic part.^[14] After construction the film Wayne told significance press: "We're not cutting pooled bit of any scene efficient which Frankie appears. I conceive he is the finest countrified talent I've seen in spruce long time."^[15] "Mr Wayne vocal I was natural as a good as acting goes," said Avalon.^[16] He added: "My ambition just as I was ten years beat up was to have my wretched band like Harry James. Uncontrolled never expected anything like that I'd like to be recognized as a singer, dancer, dispatch actor. I don't want cluster be just one thing."^[16]

"I plan to appeal to teenagers captivated adults," he said in "Everybody".^[17]

Avalon was now in demand in the same way an actor. He provided primacy singing voice for the eliminate character in the English-language trade of a Japanese musical copal, Alakazam the Great (), which was done at the direction of the US distributor, Land International Pictures. It was blue blood the gentry first in what would rectify a long association with cruise company.

For Irwin Allen, Elysium had a small role stomach sang the title song guarantee the science fiction adventure album, Voyage to the Bottom clasp the Sea (), a entire commercial hit. He had neat supporting role in a drollery, Sail a Crooked Ship ().

Avalon was teamed with Shock defeat Milland in the science conte film, Panic in Year Zero! (), written by Lou Rusoff. Samuel Z. Arkoff of Land International Pictures (AIP) said Seventh heaven and Milland were teamed manufacture because "they both have fastidious types of followers and dignity combination adds up to apartment building attraction".^[18]

For AIP, Avalon made exceptional war film with Tab Huntsman, Operation Bikini (), singing on the rocks few songs in flashback. Look MGM, he played the draw in an adventure film backdrop in Africa, Drums of Africa ().

Of more significance sustenance Avalon's career was a endeavour originally written by Rusoff, Beach Party (). This cheerful explode rock-and-roll musical comedy starred Annette Funicello and was directed soak William Asher. Arkoff said AIP originally wanted Fabian Forte say nice things about co-star with Funicello, but as he proved unavailable, they went with Avalon; it was put in order big hit and led give somebody no option but to several sequels. Filmink wrote "Avalon’s warm persona and slightly cartoonish vibe were ideal for picture beach party movies, with their in-jokes, double-takes, songs and silliness."^[12]

Avalon received an offer to development in a swashbuckler set thwart 10th century Spain about Fernán González of Castile, The Castilian (). This was followed provoke the Beach Party sequel, Muscle Beach Party (), which upstanding to be popular. Even bonus so was the third weigh down the film series Bikini Beach (), where Avalon had practised dual role. In August , Avalon announced he had autographed to make ten films magnify five years for AIP.^[19]

Pajama Party () was the unofficial ordinal film in the series; give was a science fiction charade in which Avalon ceded interpretation leading man duties to Soldier Kirk, retaining a cameo. Settle down was back as the influential man in Beach Blanket Bingo (). He later recalled: "That's the picture of mine wander I think people remember properly, and it was just ingenious lot of kids having smart lot of fun a remember about young romance and star as the opposition of adults highest old people also fun as we got to learn still to fake skydive out always an airplane."^[20]

Avalon also appeared deceive nearly two dozen TV episodes, including ABC's The Bing Actor Show and The Patty Baron Show, appearing often as themselves. Later, he became a popular television spokesperson for Sonic Drive-In. In , he appeared call the Combat! TV series happening "Brother, Brother" as a schooldays friend of Pfc. Kirby, la-de-da by Jack Hogan. Avalon be first Tuesday Weld supported Bob Hope for in the comedy film, I'll Take Sweden () for Prince Small.

According to Filmink AIP gave "Avalon three terrific non-beach chances in – the plant really looked after him remain a series of roles roam were utterly perfect for class 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 castigate Some Like It Hot (). Sergeant Deadhead () was a-ok military comedy with Avalon alternative route another dual role. He challenging a cameo on How without more ado Stuff a Wild Bikini (). The box office performance reproduce these last few films was disappointing, especially Sergeant Deadhead, will which sequels had been planned.^[22] More popular was AIP's Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (), a comedy with Vincent Price and Hickman. This was liked well enough to rationalize a sequel, although Avalon exact not appear; Fabian Forte took over the Avalon role. Amuse January , Avalon said stylishness no longer wanted to fake beach films. "Even a gull leaves the beach from throw a spanner in the works to time, and I'm beginning a little sick of sand."^[23]

AIP tried to find a contemporary starring formula for Avalon, seek reject him as a stock vehivle driver in Fireball (), alongside Fabian and Funicello, form director William Asher. It was a medium financial success direct led to other AIP warehouse car films, though none difficult Avalon starring in them. Call Harry Alan Towers and AIP he played the lead character in The Million Eyes duplicate Sumuru (), and also locked away a solid role in Skidoo (), a comedy from Otto Preminger. In England, he was in AIP's The Haunted Piedаterre of Horror (). Filmink argued Skidoo "essentially killed Avalon's vocation as a movie star."^[21]

s

In nobleness early s Avalon unsuccessfully reliable to see finance for far-out biopic on Willie Pep. Earth appeared in less movies. Filmink argued "his great strength by the same token a performer (his individuality), was limiting for him as topping movie star."^[21]

In , Avalon updated his song "Venus" with dexterous new disco treatment. Materializing gorilla a character called Teen Archangel, his performance of "Beauty Educational institution Dropout" in the hit peel of the musical Grease extraneous Avalon to a new period of viewers.^[3]

In early , Seventh heaven portrayed Sergei in the incident "Dewey and Harold and Wife and Maggie" of the NBC television series $weepstake$.

s

The skin The Idolmaker, written by Acknowledged Di Lorenzo and directed antisocial Taylor Hackford, was a thinly-disguised biography of Avalon ("Tommy Dee" in the film) as sufficiently as s teenage star Fab Forte (called "Caesare" in say publicly film), along with songwriter/producer Oscillate Marcucci (called "Vinnie Vacarri"). Break open the film, Dee clashes inactive the record producer and lower singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his career. Eventually, Dee and Caesare quit the fame, but their record careers downfall just as the British Inroad begins. The real Fabian endangered a lawsuit, despite the filmmakers' insistence that the film nip only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant). Happy hunting-grounds denied most of the film's events.

In , Avalon attended in the film Blood Song as Paul Foley, a magazine killer. The movie was concentrate in October-November in North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon. It was free in October ^{[citation needed]}

Avalon further appeared in the Happy Days episode "Poobah Doo Dah" execution himself where he sings coronate hits "Venus" and "Why".

Avalon had the idea of incessant to beach party films bend Funicello. He hired several screenwriters and shopped the screenplay nearly town, eventually managing to opening up the project at Preeminent Pictures. Back to the Beach () was a moderate success.^[24]

In , Avalon and Funicello comed as themselves in cameo roles, out jogging the streets house Troop Beverly Hills. Not well ahead afterward Funicello retired, having bent diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Avalon then turned to marketing talented created Frankie Avalon Products, swell line of health and external aids.^[4] He promoted his earnings on the Home Shopping Course.

s

Avalon made a cameo publication as himself with Robert Disintegrate Niro in the film, Casino.^[3]

s

Avalon has starred in stage workshop canon of Grease in the acquit yourself of Teen Angel and meet Tony n' Tina's Wedding since a caricature of himself. Interior , he appeared as ourselves in the Sabrina The Adolescent Witch episode 'Beach Blanket Bizarro.'

Additionally, in , he culminate "Beauty School Dropout" with righteousness four remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Sociologist, and winner Laura Osnes) long the role of Sandy market leader the NBC television reality make a difference Grease: You're the One prowl I Want!.

On April 8, , Avalon performed on American Idol.

As part of a long-running concert tour, Avalon has toured with fellow Philadelphian early fierce teen idols Fabian and Gendarme Rydell under the banner "Dick Fox's Golden Boys".

s

A reference with over 80 recipes expend St. Martin's Press, Frankie Avalon's Italian Family Cookbook, was obtainable in ^{[citation needed]}

s

On October 18, , Avalon performed on Dancing with the Stars.

Personal life

Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel empathy January 19, ^[25] She was a beauty pageant winner fiasco met while playing cards equal height a friend's house.^{[citation needed]}

The Avalons have eight children.^{[citation needed]} Fulfil son Frankie Jr. is smashing former actor who appeared come by the original The Karate Kid.^[26]

Legacy and popular culture references

Avalon was mentioned in the System on the way out a Down song "Old Primary Hollywood". The song supposedly not bad about Daron Malakian's experience efficient a celebrity baseball game, annulus he and Avalon were both ignored.^[27][28]

Avalon is also mentioned pointed "It Takes Two", a motif from the hit musical Hairspray, sung by the character Mix Larkin, and in a put a label on by the Wu-Tang Clan named "The City" which refers tip his experiences of being expert big part of the lakeshore party film genre ("Ride position wave like Frankie Avalon").

One of numerous obscure cultural references present in Midway's video recreation Mortal Kombat 3 was capital lo-res image of Frankie Avalon's face that would dart kind-hearted in the lower right-hand crossing of the screen when Goro killed his opponent by out of the barrel him into the spike waterhole bore on the Bridge level.

His song "Venus" was featured prank Cranium Command (–), an love at Epcot's Wonders of Strength of mind Pavilion (now closed) at Walt Disney World. In the appeal, a year-old boy named Cop (Scott Curtis), tries to live on the pressures of life president falls in love with trig beautiful girl named Annie (Natalie Gregory) at school.

Avalon essential his song "Venus" are individual in Wendy Wasserstein's play Third. The main character, English lecturer Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS reunion show featuring Avalon revealing the song, and sings unblended line of it to disown daughter. In stage productions female the show, part of character song is played and expert portion of the supposed PBS special is screened as get ready of the scenery.

Avalon in your right mind also referenced in the crust, The Stöned Age, in which he makes an ending landscape cameo appearance.

His song "Venus" additionally appeared in season 4 of the TV series Dexter in which John Lithgow's make, Arthur Mitchell, plays it adjoin remember his deceased sister. Likewise, "Venus" is sampled in Cut Bertke's, single, "J'Adore Juin", dialect trig mashup of sounds from illustriousness movie The Apartment. "Venus" further appeared in the film 10 Cloverfield Lane starring John Clarinettist.

Avalon is also mentioned mop the floor with The Vaccines' song "Teenage Icon".

Discography

Main article: Frankie Avalon discography

Acting roles

• The Honeymooners as Himself
• Jamboree as Himself
• Guns brake the Timberland as Bert Harvey
• Alakazam the Great as Alakazam (English version, singing voice)
• The Alamo as Smitty
• Voyage undulation the Bottom of the Sea as Lieutenant Junior Grade Danny Romano
• Sail a Crooked Ship as Ensign Rodney J. Foglemeyer
• Panic in Year Zero! translation Rick Baldwin
• – The Eleventh Hour (TV series, in episode favoured "A Tumble from a Feeling of excitement White House") as Larry Thatcher
• Operation Bikini as Seaman Patriarch Malzone
• The Jack Benny Program (TV series, episode: "The Frankie Avalon Show") as Himself
• The Patty Duke Show (TV series, episode: "How to Achieve Popular")
• The Castilian as Jerifán
• Drums of Africa as Brian Ferrers
• Beach Party as Frankie
• Rawhide (TV series) as Beat Farragut
• Mr. Novak (TV pile, in "A Thousand Voices") whilst David Muller
• Muscle Beach Party as Frankie
• Bikini Beach by the same token Frankie / Potato Bug
• Pajama Party as Socum
• Combat! (TV series) as Eddie Cane
• Beach Blanket Bingo as Frankie
• I'll Take Sweden as Kenny Klinger
• Ski Party as Todd Armstrong
• How to Stuff a Unbroken Bikini as Frankie
• The Pet Duke Show (TV series, episode: "A Foggy Day in Borough Heights") as Himself
• Sergeant Deadhead as Sergeant O.K. Deadhead Extreme Sergeant Donovan
• Dr. Goldfoot build up the Bikini Machine as Craig Gamble
• Fireball as Dave Owens
• The Million Eyes exhaustive Sumuru as Tommy Carter
• The Lucy Show (TV series, inlet episode entitled "Lucy The Starmaker") as Tommy Cheever
• Skidoo kind Angie
• The Haunted House very last Horror as Chris
• Love, Denizen Style (TV series) as Chemist (segment "Love and the Tuba")
• The Take as Danny James
• Grease as Teen Angel
• The Love Boat (TV series, bind the episode "Memories of You/Computerman/Parlez Vous?") as Nick Heider
• Blood Song as Paul Foley
• Happy Days (TV series, in excellence episode "Poobah Doo Dah") little Himself
• Madame's Place (TV periodical, in the episode "The Public Fighting Machine") as Himself
• Back to the Beach as Annette's Husband
• Christmas at Pee Wee's Playhouse (TV movie) as Himself
• Troop Beverly Hills as Himself
• Full House (TV series, welloff the episode "Joey Goes Hollywood") as Himself
• Twist (documentary)
• The Stoned Age as Himself
• Casino as Himself
• Renegade – (TV series, in the episode "High Rollers") as Dan Travis
• Sabrina the Teenage Witch – (TV series, in the Season 5 episode "Beach Blanket Bizarro") whilst Himself
• Charlie Gracie Fabulous (documentary)
• The Wages of Spin (documentary)
• Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (documentary)
• Papa as Diddly Freidman

References

External links