History Creator / DonAmeche

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Born to an Italian father and Irish/German mother, Ameche was one of eight children. His original career path was to become a lawyer, but the acting bug caught him at an early age in university. A chance role in a theatre production geared his focus entirely on acting. His Hollywood career began in radio, but eventually, Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck discovered him and put him in several film roles. In the mid-to-late thirties he'd co-star in successful musical comedies, usually starring Creator/TyronePower and Alice Faye. Here he showcased his urbane charm, delightful baritone, and pencil moustache.

Ameche was at the top of his game in the late thirties and early forties. Famous roles include ''The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'' which made Ameche’s name synonymous with the telephone, ''Film/{{Midnight|1939}}'' where he was loaned out to Creator/{{Paramount}} and co-starred with Creator/ClaudetteColbert, and ''Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand'' where he solidified his leading man status.

Although starring in several films by celebrated directors like Creator/ErnstLubitsch and Creator/DouglasSirk, Ameche’s star began to fade. He did, however, continue to work on radio; specifically, the influential serial called ''The Bickersons'' with Frances Langford. An interval of around 40 years passed where Ameche was only featured in 5 films, did a bit of TV, and mostly worked on the stage.

Fortuitously, when Creator/RayMilland dropped out of Creator/JohnLandis’ film, ''Film/TradingPlaces'', Ameche took his place. The rest as they say is history: Ameche experienced a career resurgence that few actors of the Golden Age ever received after 40 years of film irrelevance. He continued to work steadily throughout his twilight years, gaining critical acclaim right until his death in 1993, at the age of 85.

Fortuitously, when Creator/RayMilland dropped out of Creator/JohnLandis’ film, ''Film/TradingPlaces'', Ameche took his place. The rest they say is history: Ameche experienced a career resurgence that few actors of the Golden Age ever received after 40 years of film irrelevance. He continued to work steadily throughout his twilight years, gaining critical acclaim right until his death in 1993, at the age of 85.

Born to an Italian father and Irish/German mother, Ameche was one of eight children. His original career path was to become a lawyer, but the acting bug caught him at an early age in university. A chance role in a theatre production geared his focus entirely on acting. His Hollywood career began in radio, but eventually, Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck discovered him and put him in several film roles. In the mid-to-late thirties he'd co-star in successful musical comedies, usually starring Creator/TyronePower and Alice Faye. Here he showcased his urbane charm, delightful baritone, and pencil moustaches.

* ''Film/{{Cocoon}}'' (1985) – Won an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for his Supporting Role.

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Don Ameche (born as Dominic Felix Amici, May 31, 1908 -- December 6, 1993) was a famous American actor and singer from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood who revived his career in his twilight years.

Don Ameche (born as Dominic Felix Amici, 1908-1993) was a famous American actor and singer from UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood who revived his career in his twilight years.

Ameche was at the top of his came in the late thirties and early forties. Famous roles include ''The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'' which made Ameche’s name synonymous with the telephone, ''Film/{{Midnight|1939}}'' where he was loaned out to Creator/{{Paramount}} and co-starred with Creator/ClaudetteColbert, and ''Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand'' where he solidified his leading man status.

Born to an Italian father and Irish/German mother, Ameche was one of eight children. His original career path to become a lawyer, but the acting bug caught him at an early age in university. A chance role in a theatre production geared his focus entirely on acting. His Hollywood career began in radio, but eventually, Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck discovered him and put him in several film roles. In the mid-to-late thirties he'd co-star in successful musical comedies, usually starring Creator/TyronePower and Alice Faye. Here he showcased his urbane charm, delightful baritone, and pencil moustaches.

Ameche was at the top of his came in the late thirties and early forties. Famous roles include ''The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'' which made Ameche’s name synonymous with the telephone, Film/{{Midnight|1939}} where he was loaned out to Creator/{{Paramount}} and co-starred with Creator/ClaudetteColbert, and ''Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand'' where he solidified his leading man status.

Although starring in several films by celebrated directors like Creator/ErnstLubitsch and Creator/DouglasSirk, Ameche’s star began to fade. He did, however, continue to work on radio; specifically, the influential serial called ''The Bickersons'' with Frances Langford.
An interval of around 40 years passed where Ameche was only featured in 5 films, did a bit of TV, and mostly worked on the stage.

Fortuitously, when Creator/RayMilland dropped out of Creator/JohnLandis’ film, ''Trading Places'', Ameche took his place.
The rest they say is history: Ameche experienced a career resurgence that few actors of the Golden Age ever received after 40 years of film irrelevance. He continued to work steadily throughout his twilight years, gaining critical acclaim right until his death in 1993, at the age of 85.

Although starring in several films by celebrated directors like Creator/ErnstLubitsch and Creator/DouglasSirk, Ameche’s star began to fade. He did, however, continue to work on radio; specifically, the influential serial called The Bickersons with Frances Langford.

Fortuitously, when Creator/RayMilland dropped out of Creator/JohnLandis’ film, Film/TradingPlaces, Ameche took his place.

Born to an Italian father and Irish/German mother, Ameche was one of eight children. His original career path was becoming a lawyer, but the acting bug caught him at an early age in university. A chance role in a theatre production eventually made him focus entirely on acting. Although he began his Hollywood career in radio, Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck discovered him and put him in several film roles. In the mid-to-late thirties he would be put in the successful musical comedies starring Creator/TyronePower and Alice Faye where he showcased his urbane charm, delightful baritone, and pencil moustaches.

Ameche was at the top of his came in the late thirties and early forties. Famous roles include ''The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'' which made Ameche’s name synonymous with the telephone, Film/{{Midnight|1939}} where he was loaned out to Creator/{{Paramount}} and co-starred with Creator/ClaudetteColbert, and ''Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand'' where he solidified his leading man qualities.

In 1940, Ameche was successfully paired with Creator/BettyGrable in the Film/DownArgentineWay which made Grable a star, was the first in the film for Portuguese/Brazilian sensation Creator/CarmenMiranda.

Although starring in films by directors like Creator/ErnstLubitsch and Creator/DouglasSirk, Ameche’s star began to fade on the silver screen. He did, however, continue to work on radio; specifically, the influential serial called The Bickersons.
An interval of about 40 years passed where Ameche was only featured in 5 films, did a bit of TV, and mostly worked on the stage.

* ''Film/{{HeavenCanWait|1943}}'' (1943)

Ameche was at the top of his came in the late thirties and early forties. Famous roles include ''The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'' which made Ameche’s name synonymous with the telephone, Film/{{Midnight|1939}} where he was loaned out to Creator/{{Paramount}} and co-starred with Creator/ClaudetteColbert, and Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand where he solidified his leading man qualities.

* ''Film/HeavenCanWait|1943}}'' (1943)

* ''Film/HeavenCanWait1943}}'' (1943)

Ameche was at the top of his came in the late thirties and early forties. Famous roles include Film/TheStoryOfAlexanderGrahamBell which made Ameche’s name synonymous with the telephone, Film/{{Midnight|1939}} where he was loaned out to Creator/{{Paramount}} and co-starred with Creator/ClaudetteColbert, and Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand where he solidified his leading man qualities.

* Film/AlexandersRagtimeBand (1938)
* Film/{{Midnight|1939}}
* Film/DownArgentineWay (1940)
* Film/HeavenCanWait1943}}
* Film/TradingPlaces (1983)
* Film/{{Cocoon}} (1985) – Won an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for his Supporting Role.
* Film/ThingsChange (1988)
* Film/HomewardBoundTheIncredibleJourney (1993)