Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin (born May 14, 1936, died December 20, 1973), born Walden Robert Cassotto, was one of the most popular rock and roll American teen idols of the late 1950s. However, he is widely respected for being a multi-talented, versatile performer.

A time of 'Change' before 'The Curtain Falls' (1965-1973): Later Years

Driven by the inner urgency of a clock ticking away precious time, Darin turned his attention to motion pictures. He would write music for several films and act in them as well. In his first film, a romantic comedy designed to capitalize on his popularity with the teenage and young-adult audience, he co-starred with Sandra Dee, whom he married in 1960 and with whom he had one son.

Related Topics:
Motion picture - Sandra Dee

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Asking to be taken seriously, he took on more meaningful movie roles, and in 1962 he won the Golden Globe Award for "Most Promising Male Newcomer", for his role in Pressure Point. In 1963 he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a shell-shocked soldier in Capt. Newman M.D. At the Cannes Film Festival in France, where his records—in particular his version of Charles Trenet's French hit song "La Mer" (in America in English: "Beyond the Sea")—brought him a wide following, he won the French Film Critics Award for Best Actor.

Related Topics:
Golden Globe Award - Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor - Shell-shocked - Cannes Film Festival - France - Charles Trenet

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In the mid-1960s, Darin headlined at the major casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, and became politically active, working on the 1968 Presidential election campaign of Robert Kennedy. Profoundly affected by Kennedy's assassination, he made two protest albums of alternative rock music.

Related Topics:
Las Vegas, Nevada - Robert Kennedy

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At the beginning of the 1970s he continued to act and to record, including at Motown Records. In 1971 he underwent his first heart surgery in an attempt to correct some of the heart damage he had lived with since childhood. In 1972 he was well enough to star in his own television variety show, on NBC, which ran for two years, until his health problems finally overcame him. Darin also started Wayne Newton's career.

Related Topics:
Motown Records - NBC

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A goodwill Ambassador for the American Heart Association, on December 20, 1973, Darin died during surgery to repair a faulty heart valve. In accordance with his wishes, his body was donated to the UCLA Medical Center for research purposes.

Related Topics:
American Heart Association - December 20 - 1973 - UCLA

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In 1990, fellow 1950s rock and roll pioneer, Paul Anka, made the speech for Darin's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1999 he was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
Paul Anka - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Songwriters Hall of Fame

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He has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1735 Vine Street.

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In 2000, actor Kevin Spacey, a lifelong fan of Darin, acquired the film rights to his story. Spacey directed, produced, and played as Bobby Darin - as well as writing the script. The film is titled after one of Darin's top hits, Beyond The Sea, and was released at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival. In spite of its great production value and promotion, the movie's box office results were disappointing.

Related Topics:
Kevin Spacey - ''Beyond The Sea'' - Toronto International Film Festival

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