Vic Damone

Vic Damone was an American singer and actor.

His first record release, 1947’s ”I Have But One Heart", reached number seven on the Billboard chart, as did "You Do,” released the same year. These were followed by a string of hits which lasted well into the late 1960s.

In January 1950 he made his first of several guest appearances on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town. Over the next thirty years he became a regular featured guest performer on every major variety series on network television, including The Jackie Gleason Show, The Steve Allen Show, The Perry Como Show, The Andy Williams Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and several Bob Hope specials.

In 1972, he was offered the role of Johnny Fontane in The Godfather. The role ultimately went to Al Martino, as Damone turned down the role for a variety of reasons, reportedly including him not thinking the role had enough screen time or paid enough, but also due to a fear of provoking the mob and Frank Sinatra, whom Damone profoundly respected.

Damone lived in Palm Beach County, Florida in his later years. In December 2011, at age 83, Damone launched an official Facebook profile dedicated to his fans. In addition to posting current photos, Damone wrote that besides spending time with his family, he spent his retirement enjoying golf and football.

Damone died February 11, 2018, in Miami Beach, Florida. He was 89.