Danny Kaye

Danny Kaye
Born
David Daniel Kaminsky

(1911-01-18)January 18, 1911
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 3, 1987(1987-03-03) (aged 76)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • singer
  • dancer
  • television presenter
Years active1933–1987
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
(m. 1940)
Children1

Danny Kaye (born David Daniel Kaminsky; Yiddish: דוד־דניאל קאַמינסקי; January 18, 1911– March 3, 1987) was an American actor, comedian, singer, and dancer. His performances featured physical comedy, idiosyncratic pantomimes, and rapid-fire novelty songs.

Kaye starred in 17 films, notably Wonder Man (1945), The Kid from Brooklyn (1946), The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947), The Inspector General (1949), Hans Christian Andersen (1952), White Christmas (1954), and The Court Jester (1955). His films were popular, especially for his performances of patter songs and favorites such as "Inchworm" and "The Ugly Duckling".

He was the first ambassador-at-large of UNICEF in 1954 and received the French Legion of Honour in 1986 for his years of work with the organization.[1]

  1. ^ "French Honor Danny Kaye". The Modesto Bee. February 26, 1986. Retrieved October 17, 2023.