Rudy Vallee

Rudy Vallee was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “The Palm Beach Story,” and “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.”

Personal and Family Life

Rudy Vallee was born Hubert Prior Vallée on July 28, 1901, in Island Pond, Vermont. Throughout his life, he was married four times, with his last wife being Eleanor Norris, whom he married in 1949 and remained with until his death in 1986. He had a career that spanned music, radio, film, and Broadway, showcasing his talent as a singer and actor.

Career Highlights

Vallee began his career as a saxophone player and singer before becoming a bandleader in the 1920s. He gained fame with his radio show, “The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour,” where he was both a star and a difficult personality to work with, often clashing with staff. Vallee helped launch the careers of several other famous singers while making a name for himself in the worlds of nightclubs, records, and film.

Death and Legacy

Rudy Vallee passed away on July 3, 1986, in North Hollywood, California, from cancer. He left behind a significant legacy in entertainment, having played various roles in movies and television, and is remembered for his contributions to music and acting during the early to mid-20th century.

Filmography

TitleRelease DateCharacter
International House1933-05-27Himself
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying1967-03-09Jasper B. Biggley
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock1947-04-04Lynn Sargent
People Are Funny1946-01-11Ormsby Jamison
The Palm Beach Story1942-08-28John D. Hackensacker III
Unfaithfully Yours1948-12-10August Henshler
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer1947-09-01Tommy Chamberlain
I Remember Mama1948-03-09Dr. Johnson
Second Fiddle1939-06-30Roger Maxwell
The Admiral Was a Lady1950-08-04Peter Pedigrew
Live a Little, Love a Little1968-10-23Louis Penlow
My Dear Secretary1948-11-05Charles Harris