Danny Thomas

Danny Thomas (January 6, 1914 - February 6, 1991) was an American nightclub comedian and television and film actor of Lebanese Antiochian Orthodox descent. Danny Thomas was born Muzyad Yakhoob in Deerfield, Michigan. He first performed under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs, before settling on Danny Thomas.

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January 6 - 1914 - February 6 - 1991 - American - Comedian - Actor - Lebanese - Antiochian Orthodox - Deerfield, Michigan - Anglicized

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On the big screen he starred in the 1953 remake of The Jazz Singer and played songwriter Gus Kahn opposite Doris Day in the 1951 film biography I'll See You in My Dreams. But his most famous role was on his television show, Make Room for Daddy (later retitled The Danny Thomas Show to capitalize on Thomas' popularity). Thomas later became a successful television producer, working on many popular shows including The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mod Squad.

Related Topics:
The Jazz Singer - Gus Kahn - Doris Day - Make Room for Daddy - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Mod Squad

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Known as a generous philanthropist, Thomas founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962.

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Philanthropist - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Memphis, Tennessee

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His children are also performers, the most famous being his daughter Marlo, who is married to Phil Donahue. His son Tony Thomas is a noted television producer.

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Marlo - Phil Donahue - Tony Thomas

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He is sometimes credited for popularizing the use of the spit-take in comedy.

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