Birth Name: James Francis Durante
Date of Birth: February 10, 1893
Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: January 29, 1980
Place of Death: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Italian
Jimmy Durante was an American comedian, actor, singer, and pianist. Gaining fame in the 1920s, he was known for his gravelly speech, Lower East Side accent, comic language-butchery, and jazz-style songs. He was nicknamed “The Schnoz” and “The Great Schnozzola,” an Italianization of Yiddish slang word schnoz, meaning “big nose.”
He was the son of Rosa Novellino/Lentino and Bartolomeo Durante, a barber. His parents were Italian, from Salerno, Campania. He was married to Jean “Jeanne” Olson, until her death, and then to Margie Little, until his death. Jimmy and Margie had a daughter, who was adopted, “CeCe,” who was a horse trainer and horseriding instructor.
Jimmy’s paternal grandfather was named Angelo Durante.
Jimmy’s paternal grandmother was named Maria Nola.
Jimmy’s maternal grandfather was named Giuseppe Novellino.
Jimmy’s maternal grandmother was named Ganna Corsete.
Sources: Jimmy Durante on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Marriage record of Jimmy’s parents – https://familysearch.org
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