Danny Kaye

Making his name on Broadway in the 1940s, Danny Kaye became a beloved comedian, entertainer and film star, renowned for his clowning, physical comedy and portrayal of humble underdog characters. Raised in Brooklyn by his Ukrainian immigrant parents, he popularised the novelty songs Minnie The Moocher, Tubby The Tuba and Dinah on his hugely successful CBS radio show, before scoring a Top Five US hit with his version of I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts. Just as popular in Britain, he played record breaking shows at the London Palladium and scored the UK hits Ugly Duckling and Wonderful Copenhagen taken from his classic 1951 film Hans Christian Andersen. He later featured on the album Irving Berlin Presents White Christmas (1954) singing with Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee and Trudy Stevens, before playing cornettist Red Nichols in the musical film The Five Pennies (1959) and recorded its hit soundtrack with jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Awarded three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Kaye also hosted an Emmy-winning television variety show, conducted classical orchestras, became an ambassador for UNICEF, part owned the Seattle Mariners baseball team, taught Chinese cooking and became a pilot. He died of heart failure aged 74, after a bout of hepatitis.