Actor, Singer. His career began as a nightclub comedian with a brief fling in the movies. His greatest success was achieved in television, starring in the long-running sitcom (1953–1964), "Make Room for Daddy," later known as "The Danny Thomas Show." He also produced "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," and "The Mod Squad."
As a young man, he embraced as his patron saint, St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of lost or impossible causes, and founded, as a memorial, St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, using much of his own money while spearheading the fundraising for its construction. He also founded ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities), an organization comprised of wealthy Arabs who raised funds for the maintenance and operating costs of the hospital, allowing free treatment to needy children while finding cures for catastrophic children's diseases.
He was born Muzyard Yaakoob (Amos Jacob) in Deerfield, Michigan, the fifth of 10 children. His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from Bsharri, Lebanon. The family moved to nearby Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up, considering the city his hometown. He was schooled by Ursuline nuns at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, then attended Woodward High School, dropping out in his junior year to pursue a show business career. Exposed to movies after taking a job selling snacks in the aisles of the Empire Theater at St. Clair and Orange Streets in downtown Toledo, Amos became enamored as he watched, dreaming of a movie career.
He began his career as a singer at a Detroit radio station while also performing as an MC-comedian in nightclubs. He first performed under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs, before settling on Danny Thomas, a derivative from first names of his two brothers. Danny debuted in 1946 with a brief film career with lead and supporting roles as a comic.
He achieved his success on television, starring in the long-running sitcom "Make Room for Daddy," then starring in a number of specials while making many guest appearances. Stepping behind the camera in late 1950s, he formed a partnership which produced many successful television shows.
Danny worked for his beloved St. Jude Hospital until the end of his life. While taking part in the hospital's 29th anniversary, he filmed a television commercial for the facility while signing fundraising copies of his autobiography in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion. He pointed to the building's chapel uttering a wish to be buried there upon his demise. Returning to Los Angeles, he suffered a massive heart attack two days later, which claimed his life at age 79.
His funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hollywood, California, and was attended by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and a huge crowd of Hollywood celebrities. A special message from President George H. W. Bush lauding the entertainer was read. His remains were transported to Memphis where he lay in state in the Pavilion, while families stood in line for hours to pay tribute to this extraordinary compassionate man. He was interred on the grounds in a plot now known as the Danny and Rose Marie Memorial Garden.
He cornered the market in humanitarian awards receiving hundreds. On April 16, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pope Paul VI presented Danny the highest honor that could be bestowed up a layman - Knight Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The American Medical Association bestowed The Layman Award, its highest honor to a nonmedical personal.
He was the father of actress Marlo Thomas and television producer Tony Thomas. He received a Best Actor Starring in a Regular Series Emmy for "Make Room for Daddy" in 1954 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He authored an autobiography, "Make Room for Danny," in 1990. The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion is the repository for thousands of artifacts from his life. Its presence allows the hospital to further raise funds for the facility by operating an extensive gift shop with an online "The Hope Catalog." Adjacent to the Pavilion is the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is the site of the burial crypt of Danny and his wife Rose Marie and also a functional park which furnishes a contemplative setting for hospital staff workers and visitors to enjoy a peaceful place for relaxation.
As a young man, he embraced as his patron saint, St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of lost or impossible causes, and founded, as a memorial, St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, using much of his own money while spearheading the fundraising for its construction. He also founded ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities), an organization comprised of wealthy Arabs who raised funds for the maintenance and operating costs of the hospital, allowing free treatment to needy children while finding cures for catastrophic children's diseases.
He was born Muzyard Yaakoob (Amos Jacob) in Deerfield, Michigan, the fifth of 10 children. His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from Bsharri, Lebanon. The family moved to nearby Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up, considering the city his hometown. He was schooled by Ursuline nuns at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, then attended Woodward High School, dropping out in his junior year to pursue a show business career. Exposed to movies after taking a job selling snacks in the aisles of the Empire Theater at St. Clair and Orange Streets in downtown Toledo, Amos became enamored as he watched, dreaming of a movie career.
He began his career as a singer at a Detroit radio station while also performing as an MC-comedian in nightclubs. He first performed under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs, before settling on Danny Thomas, a derivative from first names of his two brothers. Danny debuted in 1946 with a brief film career with lead and supporting roles as a comic.
He achieved his success on television, starring in the long-running sitcom "Make Room for Daddy," then starring in a number of specials while making many guest appearances. Stepping behind the camera in late 1950s, he formed a partnership which produced many successful television shows.
Danny worked for his beloved St. Jude Hospital until the end of his life. While taking part in the hospital's 29th anniversary, he filmed a television commercial for the facility while signing fundraising copies of his autobiography in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion. He pointed to the building's chapel uttering a wish to be buried there upon his demise. Returning to Los Angeles, he suffered a massive heart attack two days later, which claimed his life at age 79.
His funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hollywood, California, and was attended by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and a huge crowd of Hollywood celebrities. A special message from President George H. W. Bush lauding the entertainer was read. His remains were transported to Memphis where he lay in state in the Pavilion, while families stood in line for hours to pay tribute to this extraordinary compassionate man. He was interred on the grounds in a plot now known as the Danny and Rose Marie Memorial Garden.
He cornered the market in humanitarian awards receiving hundreds. On April 16, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pope Paul VI presented Danny the highest honor that could be bestowed up a layman - Knight Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The American Medical Association bestowed The Layman Award, its highest honor to a nonmedical personal.
He was the father of actress Marlo Thomas and television producer Tony Thomas. He received a Best Actor Starring in a Regular Series Emmy for "Make Room for Daddy" in 1954 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He authored an autobiography, "Make Room for Danny," in 1990. The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion is the repository for thousands of artifacts from his life. Its presence allows the hospital to further raise funds for the facility by operating an extensive gift shop with an online "The Hope Catalog." Adjacent to the Pavilion is the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is the site of the burial crypt of Danny and his wife Rose Marie and also a functional park which furnishes a contemplative setting for hospital staff workers and visitors to enjoy a peaceful place for relaxation.
Actor, Singer. His career began as a nightclub comedian with a brief fling in the movies. His greatest success was achieved in television, starring in the long-running sitcom (1953–1964), "Make Room for Daddy," later known as "The Danny Thomas Show." He also produced "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," and "The Mod Squad."
As a young man, he embraced as his patron saint, St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of lost or impossible causes, and founded, as a memorial, St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, using much of his own money while spearheading the fundraising for its construction. He also founded ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities), an organization comprised of wealthy Arabs who raised funds for the maintenance and operating costs of the hospital, allowing free treatment to needy children while finding cures for catastrophic children's diseases.
He was born Muzyard Yaakoob (Amos Jacob) in Deerfield, Michigan, the fifth of 10 children. His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from Bsharri, Lebanon. The family moved to nearby Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up, considering the city his hometown. He was schooled by Ursuline nuns at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, then attended Woodward High School, dropping out in his junior year to pursue a show business career. Exposed to movies after taking a job selling snacks in the aisles of the Empire Theater at St. Clair and Orange Streets in downtown Toledo, Amos became enamored as he watched, dreaming of a movie career.
He began his career as a singer at a Detroit radio station while also performing as an MC-comedian in nightclubs. He first performed under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs, before settling on Danny Thomas, a derivative from first names of his two brothers. Danny debuted in 1946 with a brief film career with lead and supporting roles as a comic.
He achieved his success on television, starring in the long-running sitcom "Make Room for Daddy," then starring in a number of specials while making many guest appearances. Stepping behind the camera in late 1950s, he formed a partnership which produced many successful television shows.
Danny worked for his beloved St. Jude Hospital until the end of his life. While taking part in the hospital's 29th anniversary, he filmed a television commercial for the facility while signing fundraising copies of his autobiography in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion. He pointed to the building's chapel uttering a wish to be buried there upon his demise. Returning to Los Angeles, he suffered a massive heart attack two days later, which claimed his life at age 79.
His funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hollywood, California, and was attended by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and a huge crowd of Hollywood celebrities. A special message from President George H. W. Bush lauding the entertainer was read. His remains were transported to Memphis where he lay in state in the Pavilion, while families stood in line for hours to pay tribute to this extraordinary compassionate man. He was interred on the grounds in a plot now known as the Danny and Rose Marie Memorial Garden.
He cornered the market in humanitarian awards receiving hundreds. On April 16, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pope Paul VI presented Danny the highest honor that could be bestowed up a layman - Knight Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The American Medical Association bestowed The Layman Award, its highest honor to a nonmedical personal.
He was the father of actress Marlo Thomas and television producer Tony Thomas. He received a Best Actor Starring in a Regular Series Emmy for "Make Room for Daddy" in 1954 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He authored an autobiography, "Make Room for Danny," in 1990. The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion is the repository for thousands of artifacts from his life. Its presence allows the hospital to further raise funds for the facility by operating an extensive gift shop with an online "The Hope Catalog." Adjacent to the Pavilion is the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is the site of the burial crypt of Danny and his wife Rose Marie and also a functional park which furnishes a contemplative setting for hospital staff workers and visitors to enjoy a peaceful place for relaxation.
As a young man, he embraced as his patron saint, St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of lost or impossible causes, and founded, as a memorial, St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, using much of his own money while spearheading the fundraising for its construction. He also founded ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities), an organization comprised of wealthy Arabs who raised funds for the maintenance and operating costs of the hospital, allowing free treatment to needy children while finding cures for catastrophic children's diseases.
He was born Muzyard Yaakoob (Amos Jacob) in Deerfield, Michigan, the fifth of 10 children. His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from Bsharri, Lebanon. The family moved to nearby Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up, considering the city his hometown. He was schooled by Ursuline nuns at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, then attended Woodward High School, dropping out in his junior year to pursue a show business career. Exposed to movies after taking a job selling snacks in the aisles of the Empire Theater at St. Clair and Orange Streets in downtown Toledo, Amos became enamored as he watched, dreaming of a movie career.
He began his career as a singer at a Detroit radio station while also performing as an MC-comedian in nightclubs. He first performed under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs, before settling on Danny Thomas, a derivative from first names of his two brothers. Danny debuted in 1946 with a brief film career with lead and supporting roles as a comic.
He achieved his success on television, starring in the long-running sitcom "Make Room for Daddy," then starring in a number of specials while making many guest appearances. Stepping behind the camera in late 1950s, he formed a partnership which produced many successful television shows.
Danny worked for his beloved St. Jude Hospital until the end of his life. While taking part in the hospital's 29th anniversary, he filmed a television commercial for the facility while signing fundraising copies of his autobiography in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion. He pointed to the building's chapel uttering a wish to be buried there upon his demise. Returning to Los Angeles, he suffered a massive heart attack two days later, which claimed his life at age 79.
His funeral was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hollywood, California, and was attended by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and a huge crowd of Hollywood celebrities. A special message from President George H. W. Bush lauding the entertainer was read. His remains were transported to Memphis where he lay in state in the Pavilion, while families stood in line for hours to pay tribute to this extraordinary compassionate man. He was interred on the grounds in a plot now known as the Danny and Rose Marie Memorial Garden.
He cornered the market in humanitarian awards receiving hundreds. On April 16, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Pope Paul VI presented Danny the highest honor that could be bestowed up a layman - Knight Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The American Medical Association bestowed The Layman Award, its highest honor to a nonmedical personal.
He was the father of actress Marlo Thomas and television producer Tony Thomas. He received a Best Actor Starring in a Regular Series Emmy for "Make Room for Daddy" in 1954 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He authored an autobiography, "Make Room for Danny," in 1990. The Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion is the repository for thousands of artifacts from his life. Its presence allows the hospital to further raise funds for the facility by operating an extensive gift shop with an online "The Hope Catalog." Adjacent to the Pavilion is the Danny and Rose Marie Thomas Memorial Garden, which is the site of the burial crypt of Danny and his wife Rose Marie and also a functional park which furnishes a contemplative setting for hospital staff workers and visitors to enjoy a peaceful place for relaxation.
Bio by: Donald Greyfield
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