Dean Martin Recollections : Memory Hive Books : 9781739458409 : 1739458400 : 09 Jun 2023 : FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED FOR 2023 "I sang some songs, acted here and there, but no way would I call myself exceptional. I just hope I did my best for my audiences." A somewhat self-deprecating comment from Dean Martin on his own career. It was this laid-back approach to his work, however, that belied an incredibly hard-working, dedicated and professional entertainer. From humble beginnings as the son of an Italian immigrant, Dean properly started his professional career in 1943, peaking with his award-winning, ratings-busting weekly variety show for NBC in the 1960s. As well as counting Frank Sinatra amongst his closest friends and a tempestuous 10-year partnership with Jerry Lewis, Dean recorded countless hit singles, sold millions of records and starred in a string of hit movies. Bernard H Thorpe first got to know Dean in the fall of 1960. Together they formed what would become The Dean