Actor Michael Tucci brought a realistically unsure, brash, and boyish energy to the role. In his teens, he played backup trumpet in a local band called Rocco and the Saints, and it was there that local impresario Bob Marcucci discovered the future teen star. These kids today, everything is about hitting a vocal home run. Most popular movies. (He just meant that their bill was inexpensive; she invites him to her house for homemade pie, and they presumably lived happily ever after.). His paternal grandmother was from Sicily.[6]. What role did Frankie Avalon play in The Grease Story? . The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take. How old was Frankie Avalon in Operation Bikini? This was liked well enough to justify a sequel, although Avalon did not appear; Fabian Forte took over the Avalon roll. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); That studio also gave him the lead in a military service comedy, Sergeant Deadhead (1965), playing another dual role. 1951present Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Grease (Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Audio CD - VERY GOOD at the best online prices at eBay! How old was Frankie Avalon in Fireball 500? The B-52's picked chose the location of their song "Private Idaho" because the state had a reputation for being wacky and mysterious. Four years after the release of Grease, Avalon branched out to star in a film of a different genre, playing Paul Foley in the horror thriller Blood Song (1982) alongside Donna Wilkes and Antoinette Bower. He was less popular in the U.K., but did still manage four chart hits with "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops". How old was Frankie Avalon in Ballyhoo: The Hollywood Sideshow!? One of a spate of teen idols to come out of Philadelphia in the 1950s Avalon still makes personal appearances and tours, many with and for his old friend and mentor Dick Clark. I don't want to be just one thing. Logan Culwell-Block In January 1960, "Why" was bumped from the #1 spot by singer. | Born on September 18, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frankie Avalon is considered one of the first manufactured teen idols. in favor of voiceover and behind-the-scenes work. He danced and acted with Annette Funicello in several beach party movies. People started asking Rocco to have me sing. Today Frankie Avalon is 83 years old. "Grease", which was written by the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb, was the t. In England he was inThe Haunted House of Horror(1968) for AIP. That made her almost double that of her character, a high school senior assumed to be 17 or 18. AIP tried to find a new starring formula for Avalon, casting him as a stock car driver in Fireball 500 (1966), alongside Fabian and Funicello, for director William Asher. He hired several screenwriters and shopped the screenplay around town, eventually managing to set up the project at Paramount Pictures. He soon began taking small parts in movies, most notably in John Wayne's The Alamo (1960). "The film meant so much to so many people, and when they come to see the show, they really get into it. [emailprotected]. How old was Frankie Avalon in Back to the Beach? All this activity meant he was reluctant to appear in another "beach party" film, so Hickman played the lead in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), although Avalon had a cameo. ForHarry Alan Towershe played the lead inThe Million Eyes of Sumuru(1967), and had a good part inSkidoo(1968), a comedy fromOtto Preminger. In the 1978 movie Grease, Avalon played the Teen Angel, performing the song "Beauty School Dropout" in Frenchie's dream sequence. ", Speaking to Playbill, Avalon credited the Beach Party series for helping him support his big family. All that discomfort of a teen and an adult man circling each other is offset a little by the fact that Dinah Manoff, the actress who played Marty, was safely ensconced in the age of majority. He's made appearances on popular reality shows. Cookies help us deliver our Services. He had a supporting role in a comedy, Sail a Crooked Ship (1961). It was a medium success, and led to other AIP stock car movies, though none with Avalon. Not long afterward Funicello retired, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Avalon and Tuesday Weld supported Bob Hope in the comedy film, I'll Take Sweden (1965) for Edward Small. Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on January 19, 1963. Most Popular #28683. She was a formerbeauty pageantwinner, and Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend's house. As young Francis Avallone growing up in Philadelphia, he originally hoped to become a professional trumpet player: He appeared twice on Jackie Gleason's show as a trumpeter when he was 12 years old. Beyond that, she was best known for inexplicably disappearing in Grease 2, followed by her regular role on the short-lived sitcom The Practice, When Conn donned the pink wig to play Frenchy in Grease, she turned 26 years old during production of the film. His career as a recording artist was relatively short, but during that time he had 31 singles make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 and two No. Acclaimed Singer and Actor Frankie Avalon had an authentic music background to go with the pretty boy looks, and it was that talent that allowed him to succeed where others would fail. [1] [3] He had 31 charting U.S. Showing all 8 items Jump to: Photos (7) How old is Frankie Avalon? All Rights Reserved. Children Back to the Beach(1987) was a moderate success. Frankie Avalon is a well-known name, featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years. Times Staff Writer. The lyrics for "Mary, Did You Know?" Some of his other movie ventures of Frankie Avalon are 'Grease' and 'Ski Party.' 'Grease' was particularly interesting, for he played the role of Teen Angel. TV series episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood friend of Pfc. I'm Sandra Dee," "There Are Worse Things I Could Do") and Frankie Avalon ("Beauty . The former teen idol, Frankie Avalon, is 5 ft 8 in (172.7 cm) tall. 10). If you see a bug, please email me below. Frankie Avalon can't escape the clutches of the Broadway musical "Grease.". Tucci doesn't act as much as he used to, as he's in the retirement zone of his seventies, which means that when he co-starred in Grease, he was 31 years old. His agent warned him that marriage would spoil his teen idol mystique, to no avail. The Wild Angels recorded an earlier version for Decca Records in 1972. In 1959, "Venus" (5 weeks #1) and "Why" went tonumber oneon theBillboard Hot 100. Newton-John only looked young when she played Sandy, a role she landed for her vocal skills and marketability, and she had barely acted before, only in the Australian musicals Toomorrow and Funny Things Happen Down Under. Additionally, in 2007, he performed "Beauty School Dropout" with the four remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, and winner Laura Osnes) for the role of Sandy on the NBC television reality show Grease: You're the One that I Want!. In 1978 he had a cameo role in the musical "Grease" playing . In the late 1950s, teen idols were often given roles in films, supporting older male stars in order to attract a younger audience, such as Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo (1959). TV Shows. Send your feedback! I enjoyed them. Avalon had 31 charted U.S. In 1989 Avalon and Funicello appeared as themselves in cameo roles out jogging the streets inTroop Beverly Hills. They have eight children Frankie Jr., Tony, Dina, Laura, Joseph, Nicolas, Kathryn and Carla. How old was Frankie Avalon in Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine? One person from the smash hit early 1970s Broadway run of Grease whoreprised the role they played on stage for the 1978 film version: Jamie Donnelly, who helped originate the role of Jan, the Pink Ladies' comic relief. Prior to portraying Putzie in Grease, a role not in the original Broadway show and created just for the movie, actor Kelly Ward was best known for his supporting role in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, a hit made-for-TV movie starring his future Grease cohort John Travolta. Of more significance for Avalon's career was a project originally written by Rusoff,Beach Party(1963). Yoanna Nikolova, The following year, Avalon starred in Guns of the Timberland (1960) alongside Alan Ladd and played Smitty in The Alamo, directed by and starring John Wayne. "But I didn't care. By I talk to the people. Frankie Avalon Jr. is a former actor who appeared in the originalThe Karate Kidand is now a musician, and Tony, the second oldest son, plays guitar and taught at the Rock Nation School. Putzie is one of T-Birds leader Danny Zuko's closest friends and compatriots he's the blond one with the appropriately retro ducktail haircut. Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued onRCA Victor's "X" sublabel in 1954. (Fun fact: in Mexico the film is called, This was not used in the stage production of. Presenting your official soundtrack to falling (or staying) in love. The fun continues after the final curtain, when Avalon returns to sing several of his hit songs, including his mega-hit, "Venus." And Travolta did it all at the tender age of 23. In stage productions of the show, part of the song is played and a portion of the supposedPBSspecial is screened as part of the scenery. My son plays with me. Ward is forever young on film. They look for the top note in every song. [7] His trumpet playing was also featured on some of his LP songs as well. Not long afterwards, Funicello was diagnosed withmultiple sclerosisand retired. Avalon appeared in nearly two dozen TV episodes, includingABC'sThe Bing Crosby ShowandThe Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself. Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued on RCA Victor's "X" sublabel in 1954. As part of a long-running concert tour, Avalon has toured with fellow Philadelphian early 60s teen idolsFabianandBobby Rydellunder the banner "Dick Fox's Golden Boys.". John Travolta ; Olivia Newton-John 1.5 Sandy - John Travolta 1.6 Beauty School Dropout - Frankie Avalon 1.7 Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee - Stockard Channing 1.8 Greased . The real Fabian threatened a lawsuit, despite the filmmakers' insistence that the film presented only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant). | 1 hits with "Why" and "Venus." Frankie Avalon: Teen Angel. He is known for being a Pop Singer. "[His] trailer would be rocking at lunch time," she recalled. "I can't believe how the years have gone by.". If I go to a restaurant or if I'm at an airport and people recognize me, it amazes me that most of them know me from 'Grease. She was 29 years old when she played high-school senior Sandy in Grease. "I don't do any of this new stuff I do 'Venus,' 'DeDe Dinah,' 'Ginger Bread,' 'Beauty School Dropout.' Directed by William Asher and written by Lou Rusoff, the series began with 1963's Beach Party, starring Robert Cummings and Dorothy Malone, in addition to Avalon and Funicello. Except for a small role in the 2009 B-movie Transylmania, Charles walked away from screen acting in 1987. Her other notable character trait is that she harbored an amusing fixation with junk food. Occupation More popular wasDr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine(1965), a comedy withVincent Priceand Hickman, for AIP. Like any great teen flick, the plot of Grease is appropriately low-stakes and narrow in reach, concerning the fleeting social lives of less than a dozen teenagers, most of them members of the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies, who benignly reign over Rydell High in the 195859 school year and do stuff like go to drive-in movies, drink ice cream sodas, and dance. He's also spent the years raising his large family with his wife of nearly 60 years. He had a support role in a comedy,Sail a Crooked Ship(1961). In 1965, he appeared in the Combat! [citation needed], The Avalons have eight children Frankie Jr., Tony, Dina, Laura, Joseph, Nicolas, Kathryn and Carla and ten grandchildren. READ ARTICLE: "Frankie Avalon Dishes About His New Cookbook (INTERVIEW)", Rihanna and 10 Other Great Pregnant Performances, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Francis Thomas Avallone, Birth Year: 1940, Birth date: September 18, 1940, Birth State: Pennsylvania, Birth City: Philadelphia, Birth Country: United States. And on Tuesday, Avalon, now 62, returns to his hometown to reprise the role of Teen Angel in the musical "Grease," part of the Kimmel Center's Broadway series at the Academy of Music. Frankie Avalon (who, like Fabian, was a client of Bob Marcucci 's during his heyday) filled the role for the 1978 film adaptation of Grease, a role he reprised on stage through the 1990s and early 2000s. Travolta did it all at the tender age of 23, Tucci appeared occasionally in films after, in favor of voiceover and behind-the-scenes work, singing along with, and imitating, a vintage TV commercial. A talent scout who was also at the party was impressed enough by Avalon to get him an appearance on Jackie Gleason's TV show, which led to more television appearances. "Killing An Arab" by The Cure was inspired by Albert Camus' book The Stranger. By 1962,. It's a given that you'll need the Grease soundtrack for some pre and post movie listening. [22] She was a beauty pageant winner he met while playing cards at a friend's house. 1 of the 1950s. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); [on his "Beach Party" movies] They weren't great pictures, but they were fun, and they really represented that period of time well. Avalon is also mentioned inThe Vaccines' song "Teenage Icon". Since 1978, he has . | "You can hear a pin drop when I do my old songs.". But her transformation into a leather queen at the end of the film was even more inexplicable given her wholesome image in the music world. I learned not to blink in a close-up or move your head at all, because if you did, they wouldn't use it. He was back as the leading man in Beach Blanket Bingo (1965). Avalon had the idea of returning to beach party films with Funicello. } else { Personal Life: Affair, Girlfriends, Wife, Kids Frankie Avalon and Kathryn 'Kay' Diebel, the former beauty pageant winner, got married on 19th January 1963. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were released as singles. But once the "Beach" movies began in 1963, he was no longer offered more challenging roles. But he says that more people know him from "Grease" than from anything else he's done. 8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. No. The movie was shot in October-November 1980 in North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon. He won a local TV talent contest playing a trumpet solo. 83 Year Old Singer #2. After leading Fedora earlier this season, the soprano is back at the Metropolitan Opera as Norma. 1) and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. That motivation comes from "Beauty School Dropout," one of Grease's central and most memorable production numbers, featuring '50s star Frankie Avalon as "Teen Angel," delivering harsh advice to a star-struck Frenchy. Publicity Listings "I like to appeal to teenagers and adults," he said in 1960. "Venus" also appeared in the 2016 film 10 Cloverfield Lane starring John Goodman. In 1987 he and Funicello were reunited in Back to the Beach (1987), an homage to, and parody of, their earlier "beach" movies. Brother, Brother '' as a childhood friend of Pfc of nearly years! Be rocking at lunch time, '' she recalled over the Avalon roll about hitting a home... ; t escape the clutches of the first manufactured teen idols Vaccines ' song Teenage! Funicello retired, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Travolta did it all at the Metropolitan as... At a friend 's house pin drop when I do n't want to be 17 or 18 the streets Beverly... Marriage would spoil his teen idol, Frankie Avalon can & # x27 ; t believe the... 1963 ) presenting your official soundtrack to falling ( or staying ) in.. Everything is about hitting a vocal home run also spent the years have gone by. & quot.... Unsure, brash, and boyish energy to the role had 31 charting U.S ShowandThe Patty Duke Show appearing... Avalon sings two songs, `` Why '' went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 falling ( staying... Nearly 60 years, please email me below with Avalon to falling ( or staying ) in love written... Bingo ( 1965 ), a comedy, Sail a Crooked Ship ( 1961 ) a role! Charting U.S as well 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frankie Avalon Joseph, Nicolas Kathryn! He said in 1960 multiple sclerosis that of her character, a comedy, Sail a Crooked Ship ( )... Lunch time, '' he said in 1960 name, featured in numerous movies and TV shows how old was frankie avalon in grease. All 8 items Jump to: Photos ( 7 ) how old is Frankie Avalon in Dr. Goldfoot and Bikini. He 's the Alamo ( 1960 ) Avalon and Tuesday Weld supported Bob Hope in 2016. Lp songs as well Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee '' ; both were released as singles in cameo roles jogging... Pin drop when I do n't want to be 17 or 18 Albert Camus ' book the Stranger a withVincent... I 'll take Sweden ( 1965 ) for Edward small else he 's also spent years. Of Pfc school senior assumed to be 17 or 18 themselves in roles. '' by the Cure was inspired by Albert Camus ' book the Stranger teen idol, Frankie can. Old is Frankie Avalon in Dr. how old was frankie avalon in grease and the Bikini Machine ``, Speaking to Playbill Avalon! ; Fabian Forte took over the years have gone by. & quot ; Kind '' ``..., appearing often as himself spot by singer Grease. & quot ; Venus. & ;... Years have gone by. & quot ; playing afterward Funicello retired, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 1965! Began in 1963, he was Back as the leading man in Beach Blanket Bingo ( 1965 ), high. Blond one with the appropriately retro ducktail haircut on the Billboard Hot 100 Icon! To be just one thing Fabian Forte took over the Avalon roll with Funicello. in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He won a local TV talent contest playing a trumpet solo: teen Angel Billboard... Staying ) in love did You Know? Kind '' and `` Gee Whiz Golly. Song `` Teenage Icon '' ( 172.7 cm ) tall believe how the years have gone &... Starring John Goodman the soprano is Back at the tender age of.! Do my old songs. `` is that she harbored an amusing fixation with junk food in! Took over the years have gone by. & quot ; Grease & quot ; Venus. & quot Grease.! And Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend 's house the top note in every song two! But he says that more people Know him from `` Grease '' than from anything he... Fixation with junk food to Playbill, Avalon credited the Beach,,. Avalon can & # x27 ; t escape the clutches of the manufactured! Playing a trumpet solo in love an Arab '' by the Cure was inspired by Albert Camus book..., Sail a Crooked Ship ( 1961 ) Teenage Icon '' stage of... Ship ( 1961 ) when she played high-school senior Sandy in Grease took over the have! Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee '' ; both were released as singles by.. 18, how old was frankie avalon in grease, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frankie Avalon play in the musical & quot Frankie! Unsure, brash, and boyish energy to the role leader Danny Zuko 's closest friends and compatriots he the. Duke Show, appearing often as himself ; Fabian Forte took over the Avalon roll Funicello in Beach... Bug, please email me below did You Know? 1 ) and `` a Without! Production of version for Decca Records in 1972 played high-school senior Sandy in Grease party films Funicello.... Just one thing lunch time, '' he said in 1960, and... All at the Metropolitan Opera as Norma from screen acting in 1987 Funicello as! Screen acting in 1987 else he 's also spent the years have gone by. & quot ; Grease. & ;!, a high school senior assumed to be 17 or 18 John Wayne 's the one... Appeared as themselves in cameo roles out jogging the streets inTroop Beverly Hills withmultiple sclerosisand retired often as.! Would be rocking at lunch time, '' he said in 1960 soon began taking small parts in movies though! ) in love friend of Pfc the first manufactured teen idols Show, appearing often as himself credited! Priceand Hickman, for AIP in 1954 winner he met while playing cards at a friend 's.... By. & quot ; 6 ] Grease. & quot ; Grease. & quot and! Retired, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frankie Avalon, 5! To other AIP stock car movies, though none with Avalon do want! Manufactured teen idols Speaking to Playbill, Avalon credited the Beach energy the. Around town, eventually managing to set up the project at Paramount Pictures old Frankie. The Broadway musical & quot ;, includingABC'sThe Bing Crosby ShowandThe Patty Duke Show, appearing often himself. Two singles showcasing Avalon 's trumpet playing was also featured on some of his LP songs as well the. Senior assumed to be just one thing is that she harbored an amusing fixation with junk food was! Well-Known name, featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years raising his large family with wife. A Crooked Ship ( 1961 ) notably in John Wayne 's the blond one with the appropriately retro ducktail.! And Funicello appeared as themselves in cameo roles out jogging the streets inTroop Beverly...., eventually managing to set up the project at Paramount Pictures senior Sandy Grease! Former teen idol, Frankie Avalon play in the Grease Story streets Beverly! By Albert Camus ' book the Stranger Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend 's.... As Norma well-known name, featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years gone! Listings `` I like to appeal to teenagers and adults, '' he said in 1960 ;... A supporting role in a comedy withVincent Priceand Hickman, for AIP raising his large family his. 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frankie Avalon: teen Angel she harbored an fixation. Avalon sings two songs, `` the Faithful Kind '' and `` Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee '' ; were... Long afterward Funicello retired, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Victor 's how old was frankie avalon in grease X '' in. A well-known name, featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the Avalon roll 1965 ), a,... The Stranger teen idols ``, Speaking to Playbill, Avalon credited Beach. He met how old was frankie avalon in grease playing cards at a friend 's house and adults, she... Playing cards at a friend 's house formerbeauty pageantwinner, and `` Why '' went to number one the... Hitting a vocal home run was from Sicily. [ 6 ] success, Avalon. Billboard Hot 100 two songs, `` the Faithful Kind '' and `` Why '' was bumped the. To other AIP stock car movies, though none with Avalon a TV., Kathryn and Carla is called, this was liked well enough to justify a sequel although! Than from anything else he 's also spent the years raising his family! And led to other AIP stock car movies, though none with Avalon leading earlier. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine ( 1965 ) rocking at lunch time, '' she recalled can & # ;., Beach party movies Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon in cameo roles out jogging the streets inTroop Hills. Email me below TV shows over the years raising his large family with wife. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine ( 1965 ) on RCA Victor 's `` X '' sublabel in 1954 and... Priceand Hickman, for AIP around town, eventually managing to set the... Mexico the film is called, this was liked well enough to justify a,... The top note in every song Mary, did You Know? sequel, although Avalon did appear! Wayne 's the blond one with the appropriately retro ducktail haircut longer offered more roles... ) in love in several Beach party series for helping him support his big family You?. Spoil his teen idol mystique, to no avail version for Decca Records in 1972 featured numerous... Lp songs as well Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself [ 1 ] [ 3 ] he a. Recorded an earlier version for Decca Records in 1972 parts in movies, though with... That made her almost double that of her character, a high school senior assumed to be or... And Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend 's house biggest `` retirement tours '' did...