Biography
Comedian, composer, actor, singer and songwriter ("Inka Dinka Doo") Jimmy Durante was educated in New York public schools. He began his career as a Coney Island pianist, and organized a five-piece band in 1916. He opened the Club Durant with Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton, with whom he later formed a comedy trio for vaudeville and on television. He appeared in the Broadway musicals "Show Girl", "The New Yorkers", "Strike Me Pink", "Jumbo", "Red Hot and Blue", and "Stars in Your Eyes". By 1936, he had appeared at the Palladium in London. Later he had his own radio and television shows, and was a featured headliner in night clubs. Biographer Gene Fowler wrote his biography, "Schnozzola". Joining ASCAP in 1941, he collaborated musically with Jackie Barnett and Ben Ryan, and his other popular song compositions include "I'm Jimmy That Well-Dressed Man", "I Know Darn Well I Can Do Without Broadway", "I Ups to Him and He Ups to Me", "Daddy Your Mamma Is Lonesome For You", "Umbriago", "Any State In the Forty-Eight", "Chidabee Chidabee Chidabee", and "I'm Jimmy's Girl".
Acted in 51
1990s
- 1994
That's Entertainment! III
(archive footage) (uncredited)
1980s
- 1988
Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies
(archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
(archive footage)
- 1982
Showbiz Goes to War
(archive footage)
1970s
- 1976
That's Entertainment, Part II
(archive footage)
- 1974
That's Entertainment!
(archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1971
1960s
- 1967
- 1966
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Humpty Dumpty
- 1963
- 1962
- 1961
The Last Judgment
The man with the large nose
- 1960
Pepe
Jimmy Durante
1950s
- 1957
Beau James
Jimmy Durante
- 1950
The Milkman
Breezy Albright
1940s
- 1948
On an Island with You
Buckley
- 1947
This Time for Keeps
Ferdi Farro
- 1946
Two Sisters from Boston
'Spike'
- 1944
Music for Millions
Andrews
Two Girls and a Sailor
Billy Kipp / Julian Kipp
- 1941
You're in the Army Now
Homer "Jeeper" Smith
- 1940
1930s
- 1938
Sally, Irene and Mary
Jefferson Twitchel
- 1936
Land Without Music
Jonah J. Whistler
- 1935
Carnival
Fingers
- 1934
Student Tour
Hank Merman
Hollywood Party
Jimmy Durante
Strictly Dynamite
Moxie
George White's Scandals
Happy McGillicuddy
Palooka
Knobby Walsh
- 1933
Meet the Baron
Joe McGoo
Broadway to Hollywood
Jimmy
Hell Below
Ptomaine' - Ships Cook
What! No Beer?
Jimmy Potts
Give a Man a Job
Movie
- 1932
Plumber in Love
Tony
The Phantom President
Curly
Blondie of the Follies
Jimmy
The Wet Parade
Abe Shilling
The Passionate Plumber
Julius J. McCracken
- 1931
The Christmas Party
Santa Claus (uncredited)
The Cuban Love Song
O.O. Jones
New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford
Schnozzle
- 1930
Roadhouse Nights
Daffy (as Durante)
Sound 3
2020s
- 2021
Frosty the evil snowman
Music
1960s
- 1969
Monte Carlo or Bust!
Theme Song Performance
Appearances32
2010s
- 2019
- 2011
Don Knotts: Tied Up with Laughter
Himself
2000s
- 2002
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Self (archive footage)
- 2000
Hollywood Musicals of the 40's
Self (archive footage)
1990s
- 1997
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
Self (Archival Footage)
1980s
- 1988
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1970s
- 1976
It's Showtime
Self (archive footage)
- 1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
- 1970
Brasileiros em Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
1960s
- 1969
- 1968
The Movie Orgy
Self (archive footage)
- 1964
- 1963
The Jerry Lewis Show
Self · 1 episode
- 1962
The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers
Self - Host
1950s
- 1959
The Frank Sinatra Timex Show
Self
- 1958
The All-Star Christmas Show
Self
- 1956
- 1953
- 1950
1940s
- 1948
- 1942
Breakdowns of 1942
Self
1930s
- 1936
Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
Self
- 1934
Hollywood on Parade No. B-9
Self
Hollywood on Parade No. B-10
Self
- 1932
Hollywood on Parade No. A-3
Self
Hollywood on Parade
Self
- 1930
The March of Time
Self