Dean Martin

Life & family

Place of Death: Beverly Hills, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Italian [including Sicilian]

Dean Martin was an American singer, actor, comedian, and producer. He was part of the comedy duo Martin and Lewis, with Jerry Lewis. He was also known as Dino Martini. He was part of the “Rat Pack” of entertainers, along with Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and Frank Sinatra.

Dean was the son of Angela (Barra) and Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti. His father was born in Montesilvano, Province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy. His mother was born in Fernwood, Ohio, to Italian parents, of Neapolitan and Sicilian background. His uncle was comic and actor Leonard Barr.

Dean had four children with his first wife, Elizabeth Anne “Betty” McDonald; three children with his second wife, Orange Bowl queen Jeanne Biegger; and a daughter with his third wife, Catherine Hawn. Among his children with Jeanne was actor and singer Dean Paul Martin, who was married to actress Olivia Hussey.

Dean’s paternal grandfather was Giovanni Crocetti (the son of Giovanni Crocetti and Maria Crocetti).

Dean’s paternal grandmother was named Maria Focosa/Focusa.

Dean’s maternal grandfather was named Domenico/Dominick Ned Barri/Barra (the son of Dominico Barra and Caterina). Dean’s great-grandfather Dominico was born in Lombardy, the son of Nicola Maria Barra and Maria Rosa Francesca Lacasale/loCasale.

Dean’s maternal grandmother was named Mary Josephine Miriglia.