Perry Como

Perry Como
Publicity still, c. 1962
Born
Pierino Ronald Como

(1912-05-18)May 18, 1912
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 12, 2001(2001-05-12) (aged 88)
Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, U.S.
Other namesMr. C.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
  • television personality
Years active1932–1997
Spouse
Roselle Belline
​
​
(m. 1933; died 1998)​
Children3
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Signature

Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (/ˈkoʊmoʊ/; May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an American singer, actor, and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, from 1943 until 1987.[1]

"Mr. C.", as he was nicknamed, reportedly sold over 100 million records worldwide[2][3][4] and pioneered a weekly musical variety television show. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world. He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by multimedia star Bing Crosby.[5] In the official RCA Records Billboard magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: "50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all."[6]

Como received five Emmys from 1955 to 1959,[7] and a Christopher Award in 1956. He also shared a Peabody Award with good friend Jackie Gleason in 1956.[8][9] He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1987 and was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1990.[10][11][12] Posthumously, Como received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.[13] He has the distinction of having three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio, television, and music.[14]

  1. ^ "Special Perry Como RCA Victor 10th Anniversary section". Billboard. July 4, 1953. pp. 18–24. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  2. ^ "Perry Como: The Singing Barber". www.bbc.com. Retrieved September 7, 2023.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Legendary Crooner Perry Como Dies". MTV. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  4. ^ Thurber, Jon (May 13, 2001). "From the Archives: Perry Como, Soothing Pop Crooner, Dies at 88". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Gibbens Gary "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams" published by Little, Brown
  6. ^ "RCA Memorial-Perry Como". Billboard. May 26, 2001. p. 79. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  7. ^ "Primetime Emmy Database". American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  8. ^ Moore, Jacqueline (January 5, 1957). "Perry Como: Even His Rivals Are Fans". Ottawa Citizen Magazine. pp. 40, 41, 53. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  9. ^ "Peabody Awards Honor Como and Gleason". Milwaukee Journal. April 11, 1956. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  10. ^ Macfarlane, Malcolm; Crossland, Ken (July 6, 2009). Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record. McFarland. p. 310. ISBN 978-0786486571. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  11. ^ "Hall of Fame Lists Inductees". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. December 12, 1989. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  12. ^ "Kennedy Center Honorees-Perry Como". The Kennedy Center. 1987. Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  13. ^ "Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for Perry Como". United Press International. February 26, 2002. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  14. ^ "Perry Como Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 4, 2010.