Did Dean Martin really have a drinking problem, or was that just part of his

[raccoon]

stage persona?

[Richardo]

1. I don't know - probably a little of both.

In his private life he was extremely good at managing his money, they say. He died very wealthy. So it couldn't have been TOO bad.

Plus, what's considered a 'drinking problem' today was pretty much the norm in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Hence the hilarious Foster Brooks. :^/

[sabbat hunter]

2. most of it

was part of his act, until his son died then the act became reality.

[saltpoint]

3. Couldn't say. I didn't especially like his singing but he was one of the

last people to smoke cigarettes on television. Jackie Gleason smoked on the air also. It wasn't all that long ago but it seems like forever.

Martin, whether he drank for real or not, had a good voice. He kind of filled the bill for his time and place.

[T Wolf]

4. Always liked Dino - the least pretentious of the original Rat Packers. To me, it looked like

he was a talented singer who was just having a great time singing and acting and hanging out with his buddies. And a part was that left it to the others to be the leaders - almost like he didn't care for the "power" of being a member but loved the life and lifestyle it gave him.

And he always looked so comfortable in a tux, even with the tie loosened.

His drinking was probably a mixture of personal choice and act persona - it was part of what made him so lovable. What sabbat says is informative about Dean's personal "demon" - I wonder how any of us would react to such a loss. Dino was never a nasty drunk, at least as far as I knew.

And I laughed at most of what he did. The guests who used to pop out from behind the door on his variety show were probably a surprise to him - it work great as a comic premise.

[Graybeard]

5. It was apple juice.

I've read in a couple of sources that what was in the glass when he was working was apple juice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dean_Martin_Show

Martin fooled everybody after the Martin & Lewis duo broke up. Jerry Lewis was expected to continue his comedy career, but it was thought Martin would have a hard time as a solo singer. Well he proved himself as a singer, an actor in movies and then as host of a top-rated TV show for ten years.

....

[Captain Hilts]

6. I've heard a lot of it was an act. nt

[Iggo]

7. I always thought it was a little of both. (n/t)