The son of an Italian-born cabinetmaker, Bobby Darin briefly attended Hunter College, then supported... (Learn more)
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Bobby Darin’s Milestones
| Changed name to Bobby Darin (reputedly from the phone book; another version says from the sign of a Chinese restaurant, 'Mandarin' with the first three letters burned out) | |
| Dropped by Decca (due to intercession of Connie Francis' father) | |
| Held a variety of odd jobs: swept up scrap in metal factory, cleaned guns for the US Navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard | |
| Recorded "Early in the Morning" for Brunswick Records under singing group name of 'The Rinky Dinks'; Brunswick forced to withdraw record after "Splish Splash" became hit (and re-recorded song with Buddy Holly) | |
| Signed by Decca to a one-year recording contract | |
| Suffered recurring attacks of rheumatic fever from the age of eight until age 13 | |
| TV debut, plugging his first recorded songs on CBS' "Stage Show" | |
| Worked summers at Catskill resorts as singing waiter, drummer in local band and later filled in as singer, emcee and did impressions | |
| Wrote radio commercials which he sometimes sang with former Bronx High School of Science classmate, Don Kirschner (later a music publisher and promoter); also wrote songs together | |
| 1957 | Signed by Atco Records (subsidiary of Atlantic Recording Company) (date approximate) |
| 1958 | Co-wrote and recorded first hit, "Splish Splash" (sold 100,000 copies in three weeks; rose to Number 1 over a 13-week period) |
| 1958 | TV acting debut on "Way of the West" (an installment of the TV anthology series, "Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars") |
| 1959 | Signed two seven-year contracts with Universal and Paramount |
| 1960 | First feature film appearance as himself in "Pepe" |
| 1961 | Film acting debut, "Come September" (also wrote title tune and song "Multiplication") |
| 1962 | Left Atco to record for Capitol |
| 1963 | Received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in "Captain Newman, M.D." |
| 1966 | Returned to Atco |
| 1967 | Booed from stage of Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas in concert of political diatribes against Richard Nixon, freedom songs and anti-Vietnam songs |
| 1968 | After Robert Kennedy's assassination, Darin sold his music publishing company and possessions, bought a trailer and moved to Big Sur |
| 1971 | Underwent open-heart surgery with the implant of two plastic valves |
| 1972 | Hosted own TV variety show, "Dean Martin Presents The Bobby Darin Amusement Company" (summer replacement show) |
| 1972 | Signed with Motown Records |
| 1973 | Final screen role, "Happy Mother's Day...Love George" |
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