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With tremendous success in music, film, and television, Dean Martin born Dino Gaetano, was the entertainment icon of the 1950s and 60s. His song, Everybody Loves Somebody, beat the ever-popular Beatles for a number one spot on the charts. Meanwhile, the "Dean Martin Show" was one of the highest rated programs of the 1965-1966 season. This multi-talented entertainer, constantly surrounded by booze, babes, and cigarettes epitomized the carefree, high life. While many of us are familiar with Dean's movies and songs, how much do we actually know about his life before he became a star?

Dean Martin was born on June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio. His parents, Gaetano and Angela Crocetti, both of who were Italian immigrants, baptized him Dino Crocetti. It is commonly believed that Dino inherited much of his personality from his charismatic father, who earned a living as a local barber.

However, times were not always so easy for Dino or his older brother, Bill. Both children grew up speaking Italian. However, at the age of 5, Dino was placed into Grant Elementary School, where his classmates ridiculed him for his Italian accent and his broken English. Here, Dino struggled to learn English and ignore his classmates' remarks. Meanwhile, playing drums in his local Boy Scout troupe was one of the few things Dino really enjoyed.

Finally, at the age of 16, Dino quit school to work for the steel mills. According to the Dean Martin Fan Center, when asked why he quit school, Dean responded by saying, "It was because I thought I was smarter than the teacher." While the self-proclaimed scholar had no envisions of becoming an icon in the entertainment field, Dino did hold a wide variety of other jobs. After his first endeavor at the steel mills, Dino worked as a service station attendant, store clerk, shoe shine boy, and even an amateur boxer and prizefighter. Here, he competed under the name "Kid Crochet," and earned anywhere from $10 to $25 a match.

Despite all of his hard work, Dino always had room for fun. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, sleeping in as late as he could, and of course Italian food. His friends described him as an easy-going guy, who was pretty much up for anything all of the time especially alcohol and women. It was quite possibly Dino's fearless attitude and charismatic personality that allowed him to enter his next endeavor.

While most people struggled through the Great Depression, Dino easily and successfully earned his living by selling illegal alcohol and lottery tickets and by booking small bets between state lines. Here, at an early age, Dino and his friends became introduced to the "high life." Eventually, Dean became an expert dealer and croupier at a gambling establishment near his hometown. This is where he received his first exposure to the entertainment field, as several local entertainers frequented the establishment.

Finally, after listening to Dino absent-mindedly carry a good tune at work, his friends pulled him on stage one fateful night. At age 17, with no previous experience, the handsome, charismatic, soon-to-be star stole the hearts of his audience. Within a few short years of his first impromptu performance Dean sang at the "State Restaurant" in Columbus, Ohio, with a famous group, the Ernie McKay Band. Rumors of Dino's talent quickly spread to Sammy Watkins, and Dino became his lead vocalist at only 21 years of age. Finally, on November 21, 1940, Dino Paul Crocetti became Dean Martin; and the rest is history.

Learn more about this author, Maria Zinicola.
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