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Jimmy Durante was born New York City. He dropped out of school in eighth-grade to play ragtime piano.

In his youth Durante worked as pianist and entertainer in New York city, nickmaned "Ragtime Jimmy". About 1917 he joined one of the first jazz bands in New York, The Original New Orleans Jazz Band (all other musicians were from New Orleans). Durante's outgoing personality and ability to "sell" a number to the audience started attracting greater attention, and by 19201920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. January 9 Britain announces it will build 100,000 homes for war veterans. January 10 Leagu the band was renamed Jimmy Durante's Jazz Band.

In the mid 1920s he became a star on VaudevilleVaudeville is a style of theater, also known as variety which flourished in North America from the 1880s through the 1920s. Its popularity rose in step with the rise of industry and the growth of North American cities during this period, and declined with and radioFor other uses see: radio (disambiguation Radio is a technology that allows the transmission of signals by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of light. Radio waves Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, and are with his music & comedy trio Clayton Jackson & Durante (with Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson); despite third billing Durante was the star of the act.

He had big hit in 1934Events January-April January 1 Alcatraz becomes a federal prison. January 7 First Flash Gordon comic strip is published. January 10 Execution of Marinus van der Lubbe January 24 Einstein visits White House January 26 The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, Ne with his composition Inka Dinka Do, a novelty number he sang and played piano on, and which became his signature song.

In 1935Events January January 1 Italian colonies of Tripoli and Kyrenaika are joined together as Libya January 7 World War II: Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French foreign minister Pierre Laval conclude agreement in which each power undertakes not to oppo he starred in Billy RoseBilly Rose ( September 6, 1899 February 10, 1966) was an American theatrical showman. Born William Samuel Rosenberg in New York City, he began his career as a lyricist, best known writing or co-writing the lyrics to "Me and My Shadow", "Great Day" (with E's spectacle, "Jumbo". In the show, a policeman stops him while leading a live elephant and asks "What are you doing with that elephant?" Durante stopped the show by saying "Elephant? What elephant?"

He was featured in a series of comedy motion pictures paired with Buster KeatonJoseph Francis "Buster" Keaton ( October 4, 1895 February 1, 1966) was a popular and influential American silent-film comic actor and filmmaker. His trademark was physical comedy while keeping a deadpan expression on his face at all times, which earned hi.

Durante had a nationally broadcast radio variety show; in the 1950s he had a television show as well. He continued making movie appearances through 1963 and television appearances until 1970.

Jimmy Durante died in Santa Monica, California of pneumonia, and was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.