EARLY DAYS PRODUCTIONS
Born David Daniel Kaminsky to Jewish Ukrainian immigrants in Brooklyn, Kaye became one of the world's best-known comedians. He spent his early youth attending Public School 149 in East New York, Brooklyn, before moving to Thomas Jefferson High School, but he never graduated. He learned his trade in his teenage years in the Catskills as a tummler.
1913 - 1987
Stats:
Birth Name:
David Daniel Kaminsky
Height: 5' 11"
Hair Color: Red
Eye Color: Green
Nickname: Danny
Quote: "Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it"
Birth Name:
David Daniel Kaminsky
Height: 5' 11"
Hair Color: Red
Eye Color: Green
Nickname: Danny
Quote: "Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it"
Danny Kaye made his film debut in a 1935 comedy short entitled Moon Over Manhattan. In 1937 he signed with New York-based Educational Pictures for a series of two-reel comedies. Kaye usually played a manic, dark-haired, fast-talking Russian in these low-budget shorts, opposite young hopefuls June Allyson or Imogene Coca. The Kaye series ended abruptly when the studio shut down permanently in 1938.
His feature film debut was in producer Samuel Goldwyn's Technicolor 1944 comedy Up in Arms, a remake of Goldwyn's Eddie Cantor comedy Whoopee! (1930). Goldwyn agonized over Kaye's ethnic, Borscht-belt looks and ordered him to undergo a nose job. Kaye refused, and Goldwyn found another way to brighten Kaye's dark features by lightening his hair, giving him his trademark redheaded locks. Kaye's rubber face and fast patter were an instant hit
For more information about Danny Kaye please visit: Wikipedia
Danny Kaye's Selected Filmography
Up in Arms (1944)
Wonder Man (1945)
The Kid from Brooklyn (1946)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
A Song Is Born (1948)
It's a Great Feeling (1949)
The Inspector General (1949)
On the Riviera (1951)
Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
Knock on Wood (1954)
White Christmas (1954)
The Court Jester (1956)
Merry Andrew (1958)
Me and the Colonel (1958)
The Five Pennies (1959)
The Millionairess (1960)
On the Double (1961)
The Man from the Diner's Club(1963)
The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969
Wonder Man (1945)
The Kid from Brooklyn (1946)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
A Song Is Born (1948)
It's a Great Feeling (1949)
The Inspector General (1949)
On the Riviera (1951)
Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
Knock on Wood (1954)
White Christmas (1954)
The Court Jester (1956)
Merry Andrew (1958)
Me and the Colonel (1958)
The Five Pennies (1959)
The Millionairess (1960)
On the Double (1961)
The Man from the Diner's Club(1963)
The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969
Early Days Productions: Danny Kaye 03/21/2012
Full Movie: Knock On Wood (1954)
A ventriloquist gets involved in espionage - Taken from IMDB
Kaye starred in several movies with actress Virginia Mayo in the 1940s, and is well known for his roles in films such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947), The Inspector General (1949), On the Riviera (1951) co-starring Gene Tierney, White Christmas (1954, in a role originally intended for Fred Astaire, then Donald O'Connor, Knock on Wood (1954), The Court Jester (1956), and Merry Andrew (1958). Kaye starred in two pictures based on biographies, Hans Christian Andersen (1952) about the Danish story-teller, and The Five Pennies (1959) about jazz pioneer Red Nichols.
He hosted his own variety hour on CBS, The Danny Kaye Show, from 1963 to 1967. During this period, beginning in 1964, he acted as television host to the annual CBS telecasts of MGM's The Wizard of Oz.
In 1976, he played the role of Geppetto in a television musical adaptation of Pinocchio with Sandy Duncan in the title role. He guest-starred much later in his career in episodes of The Muppet Show, The Cosby Show and in the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone.
In 1976, he played the role of Geppetto in a television musical adaptation of Pinocchio with Sandy Duncan in the title role. He guest-starred much later in his career in episodes of The Muppet Show, The Cosby Show and in the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone.
Throughout his life, Kaye donated to various charities. Working alongside UNICEF's Halloween fundraiser founder, Ward Simon Kimball Jr., the actor educated the public on impoverished children in deplorable living conditions overseas and assisted in the distribution of donated goods and funds. Kaye died in 1987 from a heart attack, following a bout of hepatitis. He left a widow, Sylvia Fine, and a daughter, Dena.