Dean Martin, legendary entertainer and beloved American icon, passed away at the age of 78 on December 25th, 1995. A fixture of the “Rat Pack” of the 50s and 60s, Dean Martin was an iconic singer, actor, and comedian who rose to international fame on the strength of his signature brand of effortless cool. Born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7th, 1917, he began his career as a part-time boxer and singing masked wrestler before performing and recording music in 1946. Martin’s relaxed vocal style and relaxed stage presence quickly catapulted him into public stardom, with his platonic partnership with fellow Rat-Packer Jerry Lewis enabling both to exploit a unique brand of humorous interplay for many years. Martin was also beloved for his impeccable acting, having achieved critical acclaim for his roles in films such as “Rio Bravo” (1959) and “Airport” (1970). He was also a successful songwriter, with his 1956 album “Dream with Dean” being a major hit and featuring the definitive version of Dean Martin’s signature song “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” which was released as a single and climbed all the way to number one. His variety show, “The Dean Martin Show”, ran for 9 years starting in 1965 and was a staple of American television for much of that decade. Without question, Martin will always remain one of the most beloved figures in entertainment, and his impact on the industry is undeniable. He will be remembered forever for his charming good looks, humor, and unflappable spirit, and will forever remain a favorite among generations of fans around the world.