The Origin of the King of Cool
Dean Martin’s effortless charm and self-deprecating wisecracks were what fans absolutely loved about him. It was also his polished image that rightfully earned him the nickname King of Cool. But many people, myself included, are likely shocked to hear that behind all the supposed boozing and womanizing, Dean was not all that he seemed.
Dean Martin and his brother, Bill Crocetti. Source: everybodylovesitalian.com
Dean was born as Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, on June 7, 1917. He was the son of an Italian barber, Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti, and an Italian-American mother, Angela Crocetti. Dean had an older brother named William (Bill) Alfonso Crocetti. Dean’s first language was Italian and didn’t speak English until he started school at the age of five. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, the young boy was bullied for his broken English.