Early life Dean Martin

mural of dean martin in steubenville, ohio

martin born on june 7, 1917, in steubenville, ohio, italian father, gaetano alfonso crocetti (1894–1967), , italian-american mother, angela crocetti (née barra; 1899–1966). married in 1914. father, barber, montesilvano, in abruzzo, , maternal grandparents origins believed abruzzo, although not known. martin had older brother named william alfonso crocetti (1916–1968). martin s first language abruzzese dialect of italian, , did not speak english until started school @ age of five. attended grant elementary school in steubenville, bullied broken english. later took drums hobby teenager. martin dropped out of steubenville high school in 10th grade because thought smarter teachers. bootlegged liquor, served speakeasy croupier, blackjack dealer, worked in steel mill, , boxed welterweight.

at 15, boxer billed himself kid crochet . prizefighting earned him broken nose (later straightened), scarred lip, many broken knuckles (a result of not being able afford tape used wrap boxers hands), , bruised body. of 12 bouts, said: won 11. time, shared new york city apartment sonny king, martin, starting in show business , had little money. martin , king reportedly held bare-knuckle matches in apartment, fighting until 1 knocked out; people paid watch. martin knocked out king in first round of amateur boxing match. martin gave boxing work roulette stickman , croupier in illegal casino behind tobacco shop, had started stock boy. @ same time, sang local bands, calling himself dino martini (after metropolitan opera tenor, nino martini). got break working ernie mckay orchestra. sang in crooning style influenced harry mills (of mills brothers), among others. in 1940s, started singing bandleader sammy watkins, suggested change name dean martin.

in october 1941, martin married elizabeth betty anne mcdonald. had 4 children before marriage ended in 1949. martin worked various bands throughout 1940s, on looks , personality until developed own singing style. martin flopped @ riobamba, nightclub in new york, when followed frank sinatra in 1943, setting meeting. martin drafted united states army in 1944 during world war ii, serving year in akron, ohio. reclassified 4-f , discharged, possibly because of double hernia; jerry lewis referred surgery martin needed in autobiography). 1946, martin doing well, little more east coast nightclub singer common style, similar of bing crosby.