Dean Martin Family Tree: The Story Behind the King of Cool

Dino Paul Crocetti, known as Dean Martin (1917–1995), born 7 June 1917 in Steubenville, Ohio, USA, and died 25 December 1995 in Beverly Hills, was the American entertainer — 100+ films including My Friend Irma (1949), Rio Bravo (1959), Ocean's 11 (1960), The Sons of Katie Elder (1965); Rat Pack founder; The Dean Martin Show TV 1965-1974; Emmy-nominated.

The Family's Roots: An Italian-American Family

Both parents from Abruzzo, Italy.

His Parents

Father: Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti (1894–1967) — Abruzzo barber.

Mother: Angela Barra Crocetti (1897–1966) — Abruzzo.

His Brother

William Alfonso "Bill" Crocetti (1916–1986) — insurance agent.

His 3 Wives

Elizabeth Anne "Betty" McDonald (m. 2 October 1941, div. 24 August 1949) — Philadelphia stockbroker's daughter.

Jeanne Biegger (m. 1 September 1949, div. 24 February 1973) — Miami model.

Catherine Hawn (m. 25 April 1973, div. 1976) — beautician.

His 8 Children

Craig, Claudia, Gail, Deana (with Betty); Dean Paul (1951–1987, killed in F-4 crash), Ricci, Gina (with Jeanne); Sasha Gunther (adopted with Catherine).

The Martin Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Gaetano Crocetti (1894–1967).

Mother: Angela Barra Crocetti (1897–1966).

Brother: Bill Crocetti (1916–1986).

Wives: Betty McDonald (1941-49); Jeanne Biegger (1949-73); Catherine Hawn (1973-76).

Children: 8 total — Dean Paul Martin (1951–1987, F-4 crash) most-famous.

Dean Martin:

  • Born 7 June 1917, Steubenville
  • Dropped out of school in 10th grade
  • Boxed briefly ("Kid Crochet") 1934-36
  • Nightclub singing 1937+
  • 1946: teamed with Jerry Lewis — Martin & Lewis (10 years, 16 films, huge)
  • Split from Lewis: 24 July 1956
  • Solo career skyrocketed: films, TV show, records
  • Signature: "Everybody Loves Somebody" (1964)
  • Son Dean Paul killed in USAF F-4 crash 1987 — Dean never recovered emotionally
  • Died: 25 December 1995, Beverly Hills — acute respiratory failure at 78

What the Martin Family Story Teaches Us

Italian-immigrant Abruzzese-barber father. An insurance-agent brother. Three marriages producing 8 children. A son killed in a US Air Force F-4 crash in 1987. A career that combined 10 years with Jerry Lewis, a Rat Pack decade, and a long TV run.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Dean story carries the same lesson. Some careers never fully recover from losing a son in a fighter jet.

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