The Rat Pack member known as both a singer and actor for the hit song “That’s Amore” was Dean Martin. Born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, Martin first became famous through his comedy partnership with Jerry Lewis. After that partnership ended in 1956, he built a successful solo career in music, film, television, and Las Vegas entertainment.
Martin recorded “That’s Amore” in 1953, and the song first appeared in the Martin and Lewis film The Caddy. Written by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Jack Brooks, it became one of Martin’s signature recordings and reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts. Its playful Italian-American imagery helped reinforce Martin’s relaxed, romantic crooner persona.
Sinatra, Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford are commonly grouped together as the Rat Pack. Historically, the men sometimes referred to their performing circle as “The Summit” or “The Clan,” but “Rat Pack” remains the familiar public name. Martin’s other signature song was “Everybody Loves Somebody.”