Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1901-07-28
Day of Death
1986-07-06
Place of Birth
Island Pond, Vermont, USA
Rudy Vallee
Biography
Rudy Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and later became a band leader. In the 1920s and early 30s he had a hit radio program, The Fleishmann's Yeast Hour (where he was hated by his cast and crew due to his explosive ego-driven personality). In the early 1930's he was ranked with the likes of Bing Crosby and the tragic Russ Columbo in the Hit Parade. A huge hit on radio in 1933 with his program, initially known as 'The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour,' Vallee was considered a slave driver by his staff. He was known to instigate fist fights with virtually anyone who got on his nerves. During the run of his show he slugged photographers, threw sheet music in the faces of pianists' heads and if provoked, would sock hecklers in the nose. While audiences loved him, he was hated by most of his staff. As a very popular star in night clubs and on records, as well as in movies, he helped other singers like Alice Faye - who was for a while his band singer - and Frances Langford to start their careers. In his early movies he often played the romantic lead, but he switched later to stuffy and comic parts. He also appeared on Broadway. The mid-60's Broadway hit "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" was filmed in 1967 with him in his original Broadway role.
Filmography (57)
Chita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To Do
2015
Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons
1995
Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984
The Perfect Woman
1981
Men Who Rate a 10
1980
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
1976
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975
Slashed Dreams
1975
The Phynx
1970
The Night They Raided Minsky's
1968
Live a Little, Love a Little
1968
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
1967Hansel and Gretel
1958
The Helen Morgan Story
1957
