5 Things You Never Knew About Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas, born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz in Deerfield, Michigan, on January 6, 1912, rose from humble beginnings to become a beloved American entertainer and, perhaps even more significantly, a visionary philanthropist. He excelled as a comedian, actor and producer, starring in iconic television shows like Make Room for Daddy which was later renamed The Danny Thomas Show.
Thomas also made a profound promise to Saint Jude Thaddeus, a vow that would ultimately lead to his most enduring legacy: the founding of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As we remember his extraordinary contributions, let’s explore some interesting facts about his life and career:
1 His vow to St. Jude
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Facing financial struggles early in his career, Thomas made a solemn vow to Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. He pledged that if the saint would help him find his way in entertainment, he would build a shrine in his honor. This deeply personal promise became the driving force behind his lifelong mission to establish St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a place where children could receive life-saving treatment regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
2 He spent over a decade on network TV
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Thomas achieved widespread fame as the patriarch of the long-running television sitcom Make Room for Daddy, later retitled The Danny Thomas Show. From 1953 to 1964, the show captivated audiences with its humorous portrayal of family life, loosely based on Thomas’s own experiences.
Later, from 1967-1968, he hosted The Danny Thomas Hour on NBC, an anthology series that showcased his versatility. This hour-long program featured various formats, including dramas, musical-variety hours (which Thomas often starred in), and even special comedy episodes that served as continuations or reunions of his Make Room for Daddy characters, allowing him to explore different storytelling avenues.
3 He raised a family of entertainers
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Thomas’s daughter, Marlo Thomas, followed in his footsteps to become a successful actress and producer, notably with her groundbreaking work on That Girl. His son, Tony Thomas, became a respected television producer, and his other daughter, Terre Thomas, also pursued a career in entertainment.
4 He was also a successful producer
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Not just a performer, Thomas was also a shrewd and successful television producer. Through his company, Danny Thomas Productions, he was instrumental in developing and producing several other popular and influential shows, including The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and The Mod Squad.
5 He famously lied in coffee ads
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Despite being a well-known spokesman for Sanka decaffeinated coffee, Thomas humorously confessed that he never actually drank it. He famously claimed he could consume cup after cup of regular Maxwell House coffee and still fall asleep minutes later, proving that decaf coffee just wasn’t gonna cut it for him.
Rather than beginning with a traditional pilot, producers paired Griffith up with a current TV star.
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