How Each of the Rat Pack Members Died

Do you think that there’s a modern-day ensemble that can match up to The Rat Pack? Or is there no one who can compare to the charm and style that defined The Rat Pack members?

▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Frank Sinatra
01:34 - Dean Martin
02:32 - Sammy Davis Jr.
03:40 - Peter Lawford
04:54 - Joey Bishop
05:54 - The Trials and Tribulations of the Rat Pack
08:30 - Outro

The Rat Pack members were among America’s most famous entertainers in cinema, television, music, and on stage. To this day, they’re considered icons of American entertainment.

Sadly, they’re no longer with us. But we can look back on their incredible lives and admire their struggles to stardom.

Frank Sinatra was the son of Italian immigrants. As a first-generation American, he worked hard to become a major star. He began performing as a musician and singer in his teens. As he grew older, he began performing with big bands and as a solo artist. In the 1950s, he became one of Hollywood’s biggest film stars.

Dean Martin also had a similar career trajectory. He began as a singer and then transition to film and television in the 1950s. He was the host of his own talk show and starred in a series of popular comedy films.

Sammy Davis Jr. was an icon for black American entertainers. The versatile performer had a remarkable career as a comedian and singer. He also acted regularly on television and films. These successes often overshadowed the struggles he had to deal with in a racially hostile country.

Peter Lawford lost much of his wealth as an English aristocrat. Stranded in America, he decided to pursue a career in films to make ends meet. He begun as an extra and soon became a major film star after becoming one of the Rat Pack members.

Joey Bishop became a successful stand-up comedian and soon found himself making regular appearances on popular TV shows. He later transitioned to films and succeeded in both mediums. But behind the scenes, he often had a trying relationship with the other Rat Pack members…

Let’s learn more about how each of the Rat Pack members died and what they achieved…

How Each of the Rat Pack Members Died

[ovepayne]

Incredible talent in that group! There is nothing near those legends today in the entertainment business I´m afraid. They could sing, act and entertain a live audience and that´s hard to beat!

[conniekelsey]

I saw Sammy at a concert in Seattle in the mid-80s. He encouraged people who wanted to take a photo to come down front to take it--otherwise, he would just look like a "Tootsie Roll". Humor and song, what a night! Thanks Sammy!

[davidjlittle]

There will NEVER be another "Rat Pack". Too original, too talented and too extraordinary. Completely unique. Anything that may come close with the contemporary talent may be the ensemble cast of the R.E.D movie series. True, singing and dancing will be missing, but the unbridled joy of all that testosterone soaked talent, doin' what they love is awfully engaging!

[mariagilligan]

There is nothing like them today. They had class and talent and they had their struggles but they were pure cool. I love how Frank always stuck up for Sammy. I am so luck to have seen them in Seattle in the 80s. Dean was sad though . He died of a broken heart after his son died in a plane crash.

[gotcha]

Sammy never failed to entertain. I saw him twice in the Forest Hills theater and in a Broadway show. The Rat Pack will never be replaced. They are irreplaceable. I'm lucky to have been a part of the audience.

[joefaber]

The talent out there today is entirely too low to form a new Rat Pack. Also, thank you for mentioning the "original" Rat Pack.

[gto]

Had the pleasure of seeing Sinatra 7 times and Sammy twice....all before I turned 20 because of my dad who was a Vegas high roller! He was very well connected with guys sporting big pinkie rings. My dad was a “businessman” and never explained to anyone how he made his money. My family is Italian....go figure!

[EduardoSanchez-ukgw]

Ocean 11, nothing better than watching them all together, one of my favorite films!!!

[davidm]

Sammy was the most versatile entertainer of the whole bunch, he had a great voice, a great dancer, played several instruments, and could drama act and be comedic, all while living through injustices of that time. Hard to beat Sinatra's and Dean's voices though.

[jaysinger]

RIP:

Peter Lawford
(September 7th, 1923-
December 24th, 1984)

Sammy Davis, Jr.
(December 8th, 1925-
May 16th, 1990)

Dean Martin
(June 7th, 1917-
December 25th, 1995)

Frank Sinatra
(December 12th, 1915-
May 14th, 1998)

Joey Bishop
(February 3rd, 1918-
October 17th, 2007)

[nationalduo]

Love Dean Martin….where has this world gone…

[katemaloney]

Peter Lawford (84)--Cardiac Arrest
Sammy Davis jr (90)--Cancer
Dean Martin (95)--Emphysema
Frank Sinatra (98)--Heart Attack
Joey Bishop (07)--Organ Failure

I didn't even have to watch. My dad was a HUGE Sinatra fan, so I was educated on the Rat Pack around the same time I got educated in Elvis 101.

[dextec]

There will be only one Rat Pack. They had style, class, talent and humor. The current generation is so different, just the direction, compass is gone in a different direction. Me Too, Cancel Culture and other movements puts the current celebrities under the microscope. The Rat Pack were the pioneers, Kings and had fun, enjoy each other, dealt with social issues. Thanks Lauren Bacall for name! Haven’t seen it since. RIH Rat Pack, Sad, celebrating video of a rare moment in history!

[bonniewills]

When Peter Lawford became engaged to a Kennedy, the links that Frank had with the mob was a little more than the Kennedys were willing to bear, so he had to choose. This is the reason Peter did not appear in Robin and the Seven Hoods, being replaced by Bing Crosby. This is also the reason JFK couldn't be seen at Sinatra's place.

[denniswhite]

Sammy Davis Jr. lost his eye in a car accident in 1954. He was my favorite Rat Pack member.

[ryanmoore]

Its a different time, a better time imo, no internet, so no BS, Sinatra was probably the coolest celebrity ever along with Steve McQueen, nobody today can touch that!!

[vernwallen]

Nobody could sing love songs better than Dino.If you think you can, step up too the plate.BATTER UP!🗽👍

[robertdragoff]

Ocean’s 11 is my favorite movie, and so is Robin and the seven hoods and Sargent’s 3…

Think of them as The Avengers of their day and their talents were their super powers….

[lianncarter]

The one thing that bugs me is that people think they can copy the originals. Knock it off. There is and will always be, just ONE rat pack.

[krgac]

A little know fact about Sammy Davis is that in real life he was one of the fast and accurate on the draw with a revolver in the world. His skill with this was even featured in an episode of "the Chuck Connors series, "The Rifleman" - episode "Two Ounces of Tin"