Tony Martin
Known for Acting · 54 credits
- Born
- 1913-12-25
- Died
- 2012-07-27
- Place of birth
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Also known as
- Anthony Martin · Alvin Morris
Biography
Alvin Morris, known professionally as Tony Martin, was an American actor and popular singer. His career spanned over seven decades, and he scored dozens of hits between the late-1930s and mid-1950s with songs such as "Walk Hand in Hand", "Stranger in Paradise" and "I Get Ideas". He was married to actress and dancer Cyd Charisse for 60 years, from 1948 until her death in 2008.
In his grammar school glee club, he became an instrumentalist and singer. He formed his first band, named "The Red Peppers," when he was in high school. After college, he went to Hollywood to try films. It was at that time that he adopted the stage name of Tony Martin.
On radio, Martin sang and was master of ceremonies on Tune-Up Time, with Andre Kostelanetz, on CBS in the early 1940s. NBC broadcast The Tony Martin Show, a 15-minute variety program. One of his guests was Dinah Shore. He was also a featured vocalist on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program.
In films, Martin was first cast in a number of bit parts, including a role as a sailor in Follow the Fleet. He eventually signed with 20th Century-Fox and then Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in which he starred in a number of musicals. Between 1938 and 1942, he made a number of hit records for Decca. In 1941, Martin received equal billing with the Marx Brothers in their final film for MGM, The Big Store.
Martin joined the United States Navy in 1942 as a chief specialist, the equivalent of a chief petty officer. He was dismissed from the service that year for "unfitness" after he testified at the court martial of a Naval procurement officer. He enlisted as a specialist after the officer twice failed to obtain a commission for him. Martin said that he had given the officer an auto worth $950 to "facilitate" his enlistment. At the time of his dismissal, the Navy said that removal for unfitness was not equivalent to a dishonorable discharge and "does not carry degradation."
Known For
TV Shows (16)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
What's My Line?
1950
as Self - Mystery Guest
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
The Donna Reed Show
1958
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
The Oscars
1953
as Self
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self
The Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self - Singer
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1956
as Self
The Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self - Singer
Startime
1959
as Self
MGM Parade
1955
Donny & Marie
1976
as Self
The Barbara McNair Show
1969
as Self
Jessica
2004
The Tony Martin Show
1954
as Himself
Movies (38)
Clash by Night
1952
as Singer of 'I Hear a Rhapsody' (voice) (uncredited)
Till the Clouds Roll By
1946
as Gaylord Ravenal / Tony Martin
That's Entertainment! III
1994
as (archive footage)
Meet Me in Las Vegas
1956
as Tony Martin (uncredited)
That's Entertainment!
1974
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Big Store
1941
as Tommy Rogers
Follow the Fleet
1936
as Sailor (uncredited)
Pigskin Parade
1936
as Tommy Barker
Hit the Deck
1955
as William Clark
Casbah
1948
as Pepe Le Moko
Easy to Love
1953
as Barry Gordon
Ziegfeld Girl
1941
as Frank Merton
Deep in My Heart
1954
as Performer in New Moon
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story
1990
as Self
Ali Baba Goes to Town
1937
as Yusuf/Tony Martin
You Can't Have Everything
1937
as Bobby Walker
Dear Mr. Wonderful
1982
as Himself
Here Come the Girls
1953
as Allen Trent
Poor Little Rich Girl
1936
as Radio Baritone Soloist (uncredited)
Kentucky Moonshine
1938
as Jerry Wade
Music in My Heart
1940
as Robert Gregory
Quincannon, Frontier Scout
1956
as Linus Quincannon
Banjo on My Knee
1936
as Chick Bean
Let's Be Happy
1957
as Stanley Smith
The All-Star Christmas Show
1958
as Self
Back to Nature
1936
as Tom Williams
Some of Manie's Friends
1959
Life Begins in College
1937
as Band Leader
Winner Take All
1939
as Steve Bishop
The Holy Terror
1937
as Danny Walker
Murder on a Bridle Path
1936
as Man with Violet (uncredited)
Sing, Baby, Sing
1936
as Tony Renaldo
Sally, Irene and Mary
1938
as Tommy Reynolds
Up the River
1938
as Tommy Grant
Two Tickets to Broadway
1951
as Dan Carter
Thanks for Everything
1938
as Tommy Davis
Sing and Be Happy
1937
as Buzz Mason
Foolish Hearts
1935
as Singer
About Tony Martin
Alvin Morris, known professionally as Tony Martin, was an American actor and popular singer. His career spanned over seven decades, and he scored dozens of hits between the late-1930s and mid-1950s with songs such as "Walk Hand in Hand", "Stranger in Paradise" and "I Get Ideas". He was married to actress and dancer Cyd Charisse for 60 years, from 1948 until her death in 2008. In his grammar school glee club, he became an instrumentalist and singer. He formed his first band, named "The Red Peppers," when he was in high school. After college, he… With 54 credits spanning from 1935 to 2004, Tony Martin has appeared in 38 films and 16 TV shows.
Fans searching for Tony Martin movies, Tony Martin filmography, or the latest projects starring Tony Martin can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Tony Martin Movies
- Clash by Night (1952) — as Singer of 'I Hear a Rhapsody' (voice) (uncredited)
- Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) — as Gaylord Ravenal / Tony Martin
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) — as (archive footage)
- Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956) — as Tony Martin (uncredited)
- That's Entertainment! (1974) — as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Where to Watch Tony Martin Films
Most Tony Martin movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Tony Martin, check our movies catalogue and browse page.