Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas Facts
| Sign | Capricorn |
| Born |
Jan 6, 1914 Deerfield, MI |
| Died |
Feb 6, 1991 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 77 |
| Total Facts | 64 |
According to ex-"The Danny Thomas Show" (1953) co-star, Angela Cartwright, she said in an interview about her future TV boss, Irwin Allen, who in turn was a huge fan of Thomas' show, who also got her to audition for a brand new show, that eventually wound up to be "Lost in Space" (1965), which was based on the novel, The Swiss Family Robinson.
Actress Angela Cartwright's parrot was named after him.
After his brother's Raymond's marriage in 1931, young Danny hitchhiked to Detroit, Michigan.
Almost like Danny himself, his mother moved to Toledo, Ohio, with her family, when Margaret was only 10.
Before he was a successful actor, he used to work at a nightclub in Chicago, Illinois.
Before he was a successful actor, he was a radio actor.
Before he was a successful comedian and producer, he sold candy with his brother, Raymond, in the Vaudeville house, called the Continuous Burlesque.
Before his death, his final guest-starring appearance was on "Empty Nest" (1988), which was produced by his son's, Tony Thomas's, production company.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as nightclub singer - Danny Williams on "The Danny Thomas Show" (1953).
Billboard and Variety Magazines named him Best Newcomer in Radio in 1945, but was eventually fired.
Brother of Tom Jacobs.
By the time his mother, Margaret Christen, reached 30, she had 12 pregnancies, but 10 children.
Child of Lebanese immigrants.
Co-starred on NBC Radio's "Drene Time" (1946-1947).
Current actor and future 40th president Ronald Reagan used to play basketball in Thomas's backyard with the neighborhood kids.
Danny Thomas was a founding minority owner of the NFL team "Miami Dolphins."
Danny Williams, Thomas's character on "The Danny Thomas Show" (1953), was ranked #5 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
Enjoyed singing, dancing, golfing, spending time with family, helping terminally ill children, dining, smoking, traveling and reading.
Father of Tony Thomas, Marlo Thomas, and Terre Thomas.
Father-in-law of Phil Donahue.
Founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Godmother of his daughter Marlo Thomas was Loretta Young.
Graduated from Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio, in 1931.
Guest speaker at the 1973 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Had a lot of relatives who grew up on the same street of Toledo, Ohio.
Had always wanted to do a television series, but it took a longtime for him and Sheldon Leonard to develop the pilot of "The Danny Thomas Show" (1953), due to Thomas's busy schedule.
Has a street named after him in Memphis, Tennessee.
He and his brother, Raymond, were a Vaudeville team, as children.
He took his stage name from his eldest brother Thomas and his youngest brother Danny. Most of his friends called him "Jake."
His "The Danny Thomas Show" (1953) character was Lebanese, as was Thomas, in real-life.
His ancestry includes: Italian, German, Russian, Jewish and Irish.
His aunt, Julia, died in a car crash in 1932, his uncle, Tenoose, died the following year after his wife.
His daughter, Margaret Julia (A.K.A. Marlo Thomas), was named after his mother. She followed in her father's footsteps, being an actress.
His entire family moved to Toledo, Ohio, after his birth, until times were better.
His father couldn't run the farm alone and his mother was too weak, hence, she turned to his uncle, Tenoose, for help.
His father, Charles Yakhoob, died in 1953.
His father, Charles Yakhoob, was a horsefarmer, and his mother, Margaret Christen, was a housewife and devoted mother to her other four children.
His first radio show was called "The Happy Hour Club," where he used the antidote, penning his gift for acting the characters and making faces.
His mother-in-law, Marie "Mary" Cassaniti, died in 1972.
His uncle Tenoose and aunt Julia were originally from Detroit, Michigan.
In 1944, he volunteered to go overseas with Marlene Dietrich's USO Troop.
Met his future wife, Rose Marie Mantell Thomas, at a Happy Hour Club in Detroit, Michigan, when he was 23.
Pictured on a nondenominated ("forever") USA commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor 16 February 2012. It also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which Thomas founded in February 1962. Price of the stamp on day of issue was 45¢.
Remained good friends with Angela Cartwright, during and after "The Danny Thomas Show" (1953).
Son-in-law of Marie "Mary" Cassaniti.
Survived by his wife, Rosie Marie, of 55 years, and 3 children, Marlo Thomas, Terre Thomas and Tony Thomas.
Though he was a spokesman for Sanka brand Decaffeinated Coffee, he later confessed that he never drank it. He claimed he could drink cup after cup of Maxwell House Coffee and still fall asleep mere minutes later.
Was a good friend of the late Sammy Davis Jr., who appeared at every one of Thomas's St. Jude's benefits.
Was a heavy smoker at an early age.
Was a Republican.