Frankie Avalon

Frankie Avalon, born Francis Thomas Avallone on September 18, 1940, is an American actor, singer, and former teen idol. He gained popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s with 31 charting U.S. Billboard singles, including number one hits like 'Venus' and 'Why' in 1959. Avalon's acting career took off in the 1960s, where he became well-known for his appearances in the Beach party films and for his supporting role in the 1978 musical film Grease, where he sang 'Beauty School Dropout'. Avalon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mary and Nicholas Avallone, with his mother being originally from Sicily. His trumpet playing skills were showcased in his American network television debut on The Jackie Gleason Show in December 1952.