Frank Sinatra

Born: 12 December 1915 Birthplace: Hoboken, New Jersey Death: 14 May 1998 (natural causes) Best Known As: Singer of New York, New York and leader of the Rat Pack Sinatra is an American icon. His official career was singing: he began as a rail-thin crooner during World War II, and matured into the most respected pop singer of his generation. He also took up acting, winning an Academy Award for his performance in From Here To Eternity (1953, with Burt Lancaster). Along the way Sinatra developed a reputation as a stylish, fast-living, fist-fighting swinger. He was the acknowledged leader of the Hollywood 'Rat Pack' of the early 1960s, which included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and others. Among his best-known tunes are the standards Come Fly With Me, New York, New York, All the Way, Strangers in the Night and One For My Baby (And One More For the Road). He ranks with Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and The Beatles as among the most influential pop musicians of the 20th century. Sinatra's four wives included actresses Ava Gardner (1951-57) and Mia Farrow (1966-68). Gardner previously had been married to jazzman Artie Shaw, while Farrow was later married to Woody Allen.