Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary Clooney was a beloved pop and jazz singer and acclaimed actress whose career stretched across six decades. ∙ Clooney made her debut in 1945, when she and her sister won an open singing audition at a Cincinnati radio station and landed a weekly late-night spot on the schedule. ∙ After moving to New York City, she landed a deal with Columbia Records, where famed producer Mitch Miller persuaded her to record the novelty single “Come On-a My House”—it was her first hit. ∙ In the 1950s, she released a string of popular singles while also performing on radio, TV, and in films, including starring with Bing Crosby in the 1954 holiday classic White Christmas. ∙ Although her pop songs, including “Hey There” and “Mambo Italiano,” were her biggest hits, she also recorded more mature fare with such artists as Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. ∙ Following an extended hiatus from the spotlight, she mounted a comeback in 1976 when Bing Crosby invited her to join his 50th anniversary tour. ∙ She earned eight Grammy nominations during her career and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.