Danny Kaye
David Daniel Kaminsky; 18 January 1913 – 3 March 1987
He was the first ambassador-at-large of UNICEF in 1954 and received the French Legion of Honor in 1986 for his many years of work with the organization.Kaye received two Academy Awards: an Academy Honorary Award in 1955 and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1982. Also that year he received the Screen Actors Guild Annual Award.
Qualities Sylvia Fine, his wife, admired in Danny:Generosity, deep honesty, good sense of reality, remarkable command of facts (The Danny Kaye Story pg 125)Other descriptions in The Danny Kaye Story:Even-tempered, volatile disposition, gallant, frank .Quote from his wife, Sylvia Fine:[Motion Picture. v 44. Macfadden-Bartell, 1955 pg 58]
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If you're wanting the shortened version on how others have described Danny, let me try to sum up the statements and information listed below:
Charming, elegant, artistic, intelligent, a genius, gracious, giving, funny, good listener, impatient, a perfectionist (although Danny claimed that he wasn't), volatile, unpredictable, egotistical, moody, emotionally distant, rude, formidable, and passive-aggressive.
In various articles and interviews, he has been described as:
Carefree, quiet, intense, moody, relaxed, charming, authoritative, a genius, a perfectionist, impatient
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Flying Magazine – March 1964
By: Gerry Casey and Tonia Nagle
Danny is very serious about his flying. His use of the checklist is thorough and consistent. His flying and general handling of the airplane are smooth and capable. By choice, he prefers to fly airways, using all navigational equipment at hand. He’s careful to explain that his airplane is not a toy.
“Danny,” I asked, “what do you think of pilots in general?”
“I like being around them. I think they’re a responsible group of people.”
“Is flying one of your favorite hobbies?”
“I don’t have hobbies, Gerry, I have a great many interests. Flying is one of my interests.”
After my ride with Danny, as we were walking away from his airplane, he touched my arm and we turned to admire the sleek beauty of his new airplane.
“When I was a kid, I had always wanted a bicycle,” Danny said slowly. “We were too poor. Now I’ve got one. Look at it. Isn’t that some bicycle?”
I had to agree, it is. And Danny Kaye of the long legs and swift feet has learned to pedal it most capably.
"Leadership Tip: Exercising Humility," by Dr. William Cummings of WMAZ in Georgia, :
"When we use the word humility we usually mean something sad and downcast, and I guess I thought of it that way too, until I met Danny Kaye.
Back in the 70’s, Danny Kaye’s name and face were familiar to people all over the world. He entertained the Queen of England and the King of Norway. His movies played in every city of America. Yet this man sat next to me for 5 hours on a plane from San Francisco to New York, and I’ve never met a more humble man.
It took me months to analyze that 5-hour conversation with one of Hollywood’s greatest celebrities, but I finally came up with the answer.
Danny Kaye didn’t deny his talents; he didn’t think less of his accomplishments. He knew they were outstanding. He just didn’t dwell on them.
When I asked him about winning the Oscar, he asked me about my family. We traded pictures of our children instead of pictures of his hit movies.
Humility is not defacing. It does not demand that you deny your talents. Humility is simply a matter of focus. Are you focused on yourself, or on the person you are with? Are you focused on what you know, or on what the other person knows?
Leaders understand that humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s just thinking of yourself—less."
From: My Remarkable Journey by Larry King, 2009 :
- “When you tuned in, you didn’t know if you were in for laughter or tears. One night I had on the actor, singer, and comedian Danny Kaye. At three in the morning, a woman called in. She said, ‘Danny, in my whole life I never thought I’d ever talk to you. How would I get a chance to talk to Danny Kaye? I just want you to know that my son loved you. He used to imitate you. He sang all your songs. He went into the Navy, and he was killed in Korea. They sent home all the belongings in his footlocker. The only picture he had in that footlocker was of you. I took that picture and put it next to a picture of him in a double frame. I dust it every morning. Now I’m talking to you. I just thought you’d like to know.’
- Danny Kaye started to cry. His brother was there, and his brother started to cry. I started to cry. Then Danny Kaye did something brilliant. He asked the woman, ‘What was your son’s favorite song?’
She said, “Dinah.” He sang it to her right then and there. It was one of those precious moments that you can never get back but always remain with you.”
From: High and Inside: My Life in the Front Offices of Baseball by Lou Gorman, 2008 :
- "His total education was nine years of schooling in the Brooklyn school system. He was, however, a true Renaissance man with a brilliant mind and a remarkable memory. His I.Q. had to be extraordinary. He spoke six languages fluently [According to Kurt Singer's The Danny Kaye Story: "He has never thoroughly mastered any foreign language, although he knows a smattering of many." pg 233 - J.N. Webmistress], flew his own Lear jet and was instrument qualified to fly a 747 jumbo jet. He was an internationally decorated and recognized chef. He had directed philharmonic orchestras all over the world. He had an exceptional interest in and understanding of general medicine. His love and 'feel' for the game of baseball were exceptional. Danny Kaye, in his lifetime, became one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. He also had a successful television show which ran for years. He was a remarkable man who as a youngster started out as a comedian in vaudeville against the wishes of his father, who wanted his son to become a 'professional' man. He went on to become one of the most successful and beloved actors in America. He was charming, gracious, giving, and funny and it was an absolute joy to be in his company."
From: "It's Going to Be 'Utter Kaye-os'" April 1975]
SYLVIA FINE KAYE: “Danny has a unique affinity with children. Recently, a five-month-old child was visiting our apartment. Eventually he became restless and cranky. I put him next to Danny, who was taking a nap in the bedroom. In about 15 minutes the baby stopped crying. We walked to the bedroom and there, face-to-face, was Danny and the child. They were having a conversation!”
From: "Communists Can Laugh As Well As Anyone, Says Danny Kaye" July 1963] written by Danny
- "A little, 9-year-old girl made a presentation speech in halting English but perfectly understandable—that is to say understandable to me.
- It was really very touching. I kissed her cheek and suddenly she got very embarrassed, but then I pretended I was embarrassed too, and covered my face with my hands. The reaction was immediate.
- From then on the children lost any reserve they had. Even though the children and I could not talk to each other, I found that behaving like a child with children made for immediate communication.
We played games, sang songs, and danced together."
From: "Danny Kaye Discusses Secret of His Success" July 1959]
- Once on a New York street a little girl asked for his autograph in a peculiar squeaky voice. Kaye took her home to find out what was wrong with her. Learning from her parents that she had a mental speech block, he sent her to the best doctor he knew and paid the bill.
In his later years he took to entertaining at home as chef – he had a special stove installed in his patio – and specialized in Chinese and Italian cooking.
Honors, awards, tributes :
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1981)
Asteroid 6546 Kaye
Danny Kaye has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in music, radio, and films.[79]
Danny Kaye was knighted by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in 1983 for his 1952 portrayal of Hans Christian Andersen in the film of the same name.
Kennedy Center Honor (1984)
Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade (1984)
French Legion of Honor (Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur) on 24 February 1986 for his UNICEF work.
The song "I Wish I Was Danny Kaye" on Miracle Legion's 1996 album Portrait of a Damaged Family
On 23 June 1987, Kaye was posthumously presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. The award was received by his daughter Dena.
UNICEF's New York Visitor's Centre is named to honor Danny Kaye.
In December 1996, the PBS series, American Masters, aired a special on the life of Danny Kaye.
Danny's association with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) began in 1954. A strong advocate for social responsibility, he logged thousands of hours as a pilot - a hobby he enjoyed immensely - on trips for UNICEF. He was so dedicated to the cause that he once flew to 65 cities in 5 days. The United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cueller said at the October 27, 1987 tribute to Danny, he was the man who first "heightened global awareness of the plight of unfortunate children throughout the world." Danny was so identified with UNICEF that in 1965, when they received the Nobel Prize, Danny was selected to accept it. At a ceremony in Washington D.C., Danny was presented with his own award, by B'nai B'rith, for his work with UNICEF. True to his nature, at the end of his standing ovation he asked the audience to remain standing, then to sing Happy Birthday to no one in particular. At the end of the song he asked everyone why they were "standing up like fools" then made faces at the photographers for 20 seconds "so they would go away."
The sixties saw a decline in Kaye's film popularity, yet from 1963-1967 he starred in his own musical variety show entitled "The Danny Kaye Show" which won an Emmy in it's first season.
Danny returned to Broadway in 1970, starring in "Two by Two" where he fell during a performance and hurt his hip. Despite the injury, he appeared for 10 months in the show using either crutches or a cane.
Another aspect of Danny's career involved conduction major symphony orchestras. He took up the baton at the invitation of Eugene Ormandy, and although he claimed he could not read a note of music, over time he raised millions of dollars for charity. Danny couldn't resist bringing comedy to the symphony, though, and had been known to conduct "Flight of the Bumblebee" with a flyswatter and lie on the podium on his back and keep time by kicking his feet in the air. Despite this, his conducting was well praised, with Zubin Mehta stating that Danny "has a very efficient conducting style." "Live from Lincoln Center: An Evening with Danny Kaye and the New York Philharmonic," broadcast on PBS, was partially responsible for the Peabody Award Danny received in 1981.
Only in his last movie did Danny get the chance to prove the versatility of his talents. In the 1981 television movie "Skokie" he earned rave reviews as a Nazi concentration camp survivor.
Danny Kaye died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California on March 3, 1987 at the age of 74. He left behind him an unforgettable legacy of good will and humor that will be remembered for many years to come. Comedian, singer, dancer, entertainer, master of mimicry, gourmet chef, pilot, symphony conductor, UNICEF ambassador, husband, father; Danny Kaye touched many people in all his various endeavors. As a child David Daniel Kaminsky wanted to grow up and be a doctor .Kaye died of a heart attack in March 1987, following a bout of hepatitis. Kaye had quadruple bypass heart surgery in February 1983; he contracted hepatitis from a blood transfusion he received at that time
His mother died when he was in his early teens. Clara enjoyed the impressions and humor of her youngest son and always had words of encouragement for them; her death was a great loss for young Danny.
Not long after his mother's death, Danny and his best friend ran away to Florida. Danny sang while his friend Louis played the guitar; the pair eked out a living like this for a while. When Danny did return to New York, his father did not pressure him to return to school or to get a job, giving his son the chance to mature and discover his own abilities. Danny said he had wanted to become a surgeon as a young boy, but there was no chance of the family being able to afford a medical school education for him.He held a succession of jobs after leaving school: a soda jerk, insurance investigator, office clerk. Most of them ended with him being fired. He lost the insurance job when he made an error that cost the insurance company $40,000. The dentist who had hired him to look after his office during his lunch hour did the same when he found Danny using his drill to create designs in the office woodwork.
Danny Kaye was proud of the fact that his shows were clean and free of any
obscene or suggestive content. His publicists said you could take anybody to a
Danny Kaye show, from a child aged six to a little old lady aged 90, and they
were right.
In 1948 he took him one man show overseas to London's Palladium, where his instant success was described by Life magazine as "worshipful hysteria." The Royal Family not only went to see him, but for the first time in history left the royal box and sat in the first row of the orchestra.
London reviewers, tired of telling their public how good they think Danny Kaye is, currently are trying to figure out why the zany Hollywood comedian is such a British favorite.
His appeal on this side of the water is universal—as great with royalty and politicos as with Cockney barrow boys. His run at the London Palladium, 14 times a week for eight weeks, was sold out even before he arrived and his lure was enough to draw Prime Minister Celement Attlee to the first variety show of his life.
Princess Margaret always has been a Kaye fan. The King’s illness kept him from filling a date to see Danny’s show, but Margaret and Princess Elizabeth went and had a whale of a time.
The royal family’s regard for Kaye is best illustrated by the fact that he and his accompanist, Sammy Prager, were the only commoners who attended a private dinner for King Frederick of Denmark when the latter visited London.
Danny sat between the Queens of England and Denmark, Sammy between King Frederick and the Duchess of Kent. Things were never like that in Brooklyn.
The Duchess of Westminster once asked Danny for his autograph but stipulated that it must be different from any other autograph he had given in England.
“That’s easy,” he said signing ‘David Daniel Kaminsky,’ his real name. “No one else in England has that autograph.”
The latest gesture certain to endear him to Britons came when he heard Sir Field, the late great British comedian, had left a very small estate.
On June 25, a special midnight show at the Palladium, conceived and run by Kaye, will net about 50,000 tax free dollars to go into a trust fund for Field’s children.
That’s probably the answer to the way Britain feels about Danny Kaye.
Danny Kaye Is Man Of Many Sides: Far-Reaching Talents Seldom Seen Together”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Sept. 24, 1962
“Danny Kaye,” a not-too-perspicacious interviewer once wrote, “has a split personality.” To which Danny’s wife, brilliant Sylvia Fine chortled, “Danny’s personality isn’t split—it’s shattered!”
There are so many facets to the entertainer’s highly individual self that it’s hard for any one person ever to see them all, let alone catalogue and analyze them. There’s Danny the clown, Danny the dedicated children’s ambassador for UNICEF, Danny the father of a teenaged girl, the serious-minded student of world affairs, the man who mingles freely with heads of state, the world traveler, the perceptive musician—and on, ad infinitum.
A Relaxed Man
The stranger, meeting Danny Kaye for the first time, invariably is surprised. Anyone who has seen Danny in any of his frenetic screen roles or has seen his highly charged stage performance, expects to meet a volatile, high-strung, fast-talking individual. Instead, they are likely to meet a relaxed, gangly man, looking astonishingly young, who likes casual clothes, sits in a chair as though his spine had been removed and speaks charmingly and authoritatively on a remarkable variety of subjects.
Danny’s interests are as varied as his many screen roles. He is a licensed pilot and flies his own twin-engined Beechcraft Queen Air all over the United States. He is intensely interested in medicine (he is the only non-professional member of the American College of Surgeons); shoots golf in the seventies, is an excellent amateur chef and the unchallenged ping-pong champion of West Beverly Hills, California. He also conducts symphony orchestra for fund-raising benefit performances.
Likes and Dislikes
Danny is fond of: tweed jackets and slacks, molded rubber shoes he dubbed “Space Shoes”, knitted neckties in solid colors, Japanese food, potato pancakes, corned beef sandwiches, Jack Benny and conducting symphony orchestras. He dislikes: getting “dressed up,” people who take themselves too seriously, sit-down dinners, regular hours, or being confined to any one place for long periods of time—unless it’s a podium in front of a symphony orchestra.
