It doesn't get more iconic than the Rat Pack—a.k.a. a group of performers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford. Their Old Hollywood charm, scandalous behavior, and partying lifestyle made them the "bad boys" of the late '50s and '60s. With their good looks and plenty of talent to go around, they sold out Las Vegas crowds on a nightly basis. They also took their acting chops to the big screen, sharing credits on a handful of movies together. For an inside look at the Rat Pack and the true stories behind the group, keep reading.
The Original Rat Pack
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It was actress Lauren Bacall who coined the group's moniker after seeing her then-husband, Humphrey Bogart, on a drunken night out in Las Vegas with pals, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, David Niven, Angie Dickinson, talent agent Swifty Lazar, and restaurateur Mike Romanoff.
The Pack Master
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After Bogart's death in 1957, Sinatra (who was known as "The Pack Master") took over the group and added his closest friends, including Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford.
Rat Pack Motto
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Being a Rat Pack member was taken very seriously. The group had its own coat of arms—an image of a rat biting a human hand—and their motto was "never rat on a rat."
The Summit
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Sinatra reportedly hated the name the Rat Pack, and instead tried to call the group "The Clan" and "The Summit," but neither caught on with the media.
Special Gifts
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Sinatra gave out embroidered bathrobes to the group. Nicknames were on each: Sinatra was "The Pope," Davis was "Smokey the Bear," and Martin was "Dino."
The Honorary Rat
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Canadian singer Paul Anka was considered an honorary member of the group, and also received a robe. His nickname was "The Kid," because of how much younger he was than the rest of the bunch.
Las Vegas Shows
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The Copa Room at the Sands was considered the home base for the Rat Pack. Whenever one had a show, it was almost a guarantee that others would make a surprise appearance.
Wild Nights
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The party heated up at the Sands after a show wrapped. Once, the group reportedly ordered 300 Bloody Marys from room service in a single night.
Martin's Secret Skill
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While in Vegas, Martin would often deal blackjack at several casinos.
A Comedian Joins
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Not long after Martin and Davis joined, comedian Joey Bishop (pictured here with Sinatra and Eydie Gormé) was also invited into the mix. It was a natural fit for Bishop, who often opened for Sinatra and warmed up the crowd before his performances.
The Fifth Wheel
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Bishop didn't feel fully comfortable around the group, once saying he was "never a full-fledged rat." He reportedly only sat at Sinatra's table when invited—something the singer didn't understand. Sinatra once said: "Goddamnit, how long does he have to be with me before he knows he can eat with us?"
Some Regrets
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Being in the Rat Pack followed Bishop throughout the rest of his life. "He resented the Rat Pack for overshadowing the other achievements he made in his career," Richard A. Lertzman, the author of Deconstructing The Rat Pack: Joey, The Mob and the Summit, told Fox News.
The Albums
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The five main members collaborated on a total of five albums—one for every member of the group. The most famous was 1960's The Rat Pack Live at the Sands.
The Mascots
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Throughout the years, the Rat Pack was surrounded by women who were just as famous. Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Shirley MacLaine, and Juliet Prowse were called "mascots."
Breaking Barriers
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The friendship between Sinatra and Davis (seen here goofing around in 1961) was history-making. During a time when discrimination ran rampant, Sinatra stepped in to defend his fellow entertainer. When a theater banned Davis because of his race, the singer tore up his contract and quit his performance there.
How They First Met
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A 16-year-old Davis opened for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Sinatra—and they became immediate pals. "I wanted to be like him, I wanted to dress like him, I wanted to look like him, I took my hair and had it all done up, Sinatra style, with the little curl here and all," Davis reportedly said.
Friends to the End
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The duo never lost their love or respect for one another. After Davis's passing in 1990, Sinatra—who was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral—told the Daily News: "I wish the world could have known Sam as I did. Sam never gave less than 100% when he was on stage, and he gave even more to those of us lucky enough to call him friend."
Making 'Ocean's 11'
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In 1960, the five stars made Hollywood history by all starring in Ocean's 11 together. They allegedly ad-libbed most of their lines.
Shooting Schedules
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Allegedly, Bishop was the only one who showed up on time to film Ocean's 11—and Sinatra shot for 20 minutes at 3 p.m. each day before starting to drink. After 5 p.m., the group would call it a day, perform in Las Vegas, and party the night away.
Proud Dads
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Over the years, Martin and Sinatra's children—including Tina Martin and Nancy Sinatra, pictured here—became friends. "We were close-knit and far more average than most people thought," Tina told People. "The camaraderie between families started with the youngest and went to the oldest, and that's really true."
Like Father, Like Son
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Sharing the stage with their sons, Dean Paul Martin and Frank Sinatra Jr., was always a special moment for both singers. "They loved seeing all their kids [performing together]," Dean's daughter Gail Martin Downey, told People. "They were so proud of all of us, and I just loved that."
A Family Affair
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Here, Martin and Sinatra's families pose together following a taping of The Dean Martin Show. They often gathered for large dinners as a group, and the kids called the respective performers "Uncle Dean" and "Uncle Frank."
Golf Buddies
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Sinatra might not have been the best golfer, but he still loved the course. "Dean Martin was the only real golfer in the bunch," Sinatra's former valet, George Jacobs, told Golf Magazine. "Frank could hit it pretty well off the tee, but that was about it. He would hack it around, having fun, you know?"
Famous Photographer
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If the man behind the camera shooting Sinatra and Lawford looks familiar, that's because he's a star in his own right. Actor Tony Curtis wanted to try his hand at photography and his first magazine assignment was on the set of Sergeants 3, a 1962 film starring all five Rat Pack members.
Opposites Attract
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Believe it or not, Sinatra and Martin were very different. While Ol' Blue Eyes loved a party, the King of Cool was quieter once he walked off the stage. "Dean was always the happy drunk. But in reality, he was sipping on apple juice," author of Deconstructing The Rat Pack: Joey, The Mob and the Summit, Richard A. Lertzman, told Fox News. "If there was a party at Dean's house, he would leave at 8 p.m., go up to his bedroom, get into his pajamas and watch Westerns. If the party became really loud, he would call up the Beverly Hills Police and report his own party."
The Main Trio
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Martin, Sinatra, and Davis made up the core of the Rat Pack, and they performed together frequently. They even caught the attention of the FBI after performing at the 500 Club in Atlantic City for Paul 'Skinny' D’'mato, and later at the Villa Venice in Chicago for mobster Sam Giancana.
A Presidential Love Triangle
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Peter Lawford was married to Patricia Kennedy and Sinatra grew close to the actor's brother-in-law, John F. Kennedy. The singer even reportedly introduced the future president and Chicago Mafia boss Sam Giancana to the same woman, creating a tense love triangle between them.
The Kennedy Connection
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In February 1960, Sinatra reportedly pointed to JFK in the audience at one of his shows and introduced him as "the next president of the United States." The moment marked a years-long friendship—they partied together, campaigned together, and became incredibly close.
Campaign Efforts
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During JFK's presidential campaign, the Rat Pack became the Jack Pack.
Jackie Kennedy's Frustration
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Jackie Kennedy wasn't too thrilled with her husband and the singer's bond. Not only was Sinatra introducing him to other women, but she also didn't like rumors of Sinatra's ties to the mob. In fact, she reportedly "despised" the rat pack member and wanted JFK to call off their friendship after winning the election.
The Falling Out
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Things got tense between Sinatra and Lawford in 1962, when Lawford and JFK were set to visit the singer at his Palm Springs home. After building a Presidential Suite and helipad just for them, they decided to stay at Bing Crosby's estate instead—and Lawford had to break the news to Sinatra, who the actor claims never forgave him.
The Kidnapping
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After Lawford was kicked out of the Rat Pack, him and Sinatra rarely, if ever, spoke. But that changed in 1963, when Sinatra's 19-year-old son was kidnapped. "Frank woke me up with his phone call a few hours after they grabbed young Frankie," Lawford later recounted in His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra. "There was no hello, no apology, nothing like that. He just said for me to call Bobby [Robert Kennedy] and get the FBI in on the case..."
The Failed Reunion
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In 1988, Martin, Davis, and Sinatra returned for the "Together Again National Concert Tour" with plans to hit 29 cities. Sadly, Martin had an especially hard time keeping up, citing health issues. After six shows, he bowed out.
Liza Minnelli Steps In
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Sinatra and Davis, eager to continue on, brought in Liza Minnelli. Reviews weren't great, with some saying the old magic and "bad boy repartee" that fans loved just wasn't there any longer.
The Final Bow
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Within the decade following their last tour, the Rat Pack would be gone forever. Davis died in 1990, followed by Martin in 1995 and Sinatra in 1998. With Lawford's passing in 1984 and Bishop's in 2007, it officially marked the end of an era. However, their legacy lives on as the stars who helped build Las Vegas into the entertainment destination it is today.
Janaya WeckerLifestyle EditorJanaya is a Lifestyle Editor for Hearst Magazines.
FAQs
Are any Rat Pack still alive? ›
Joey Bishop was the last surviving member of the Rat Pack. He was the group's last surviving member. Peter Lawford died in 1984, Sammy Davis Jr. in 1990, Dean Martin in 1995, and Sinatra in 1998.
Is Joey Bishop still alive? › Who was the Rat Pack back in the 60s? ›Everybody knows who they were: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, best known for chasing women, filming “Oceans Eleven” in Las Vegas, and performing together in “the Summit at the Sands” while filming early in 1960.
What four people made up the Rat Pack? ›Frank Sinatra is indelibly linked in the minds of film and music fans with the Rat Pack, a rough-and-tumble group that consisted of friends Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford.
Who was kicked out of the Rat Pack? ›In the final act, Lawford is banished from the Rat Pack, divorced from his wife, and plagued by drug and alcohol addiction. At age 70, he marries a 27-year-old woman at a time when his Palm Springs house is in foreclosure. She admits him to the Betty Ford Center.
What nickname did the Rat Pack prefer? ›Frank Sinatra Hated the Name 'Rat Pack,' but None of His Preferred Names Stuck. Frank Sinatra's name is virtually synonymous with the Rat Pack. The phrase immediately draws to mind the singer and his friends, celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Judy Garland.
Is Peter Lawford alive? › Who is the last survivor of the Rat Pack? ›LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Joey Bishop, the stone-faced comedian who found success in nightclubs, television and movies but became most famous as a member of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack, has died at 89. Joey Bishop was the last surviving member of the Rat Pack. He was the group's last surviving member.
Who was the richest member of the Rat Pack? ›| Net Worth: | $10 Million |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth: | Feb 3, 1918 - Oct 17, 2007 (89 years old) |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 7 in (1.727 m) |
| Profession: | Comedian, Talk show host, Actor |
It doesn't get more iconic than the Rat Pack—a.k.a. a group of performers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford.
How do you dress like a rat pack? ›
Sharkskin suits, slim ties and fitted dress shirts were hallmarks of the Rat Pack style. Armed to the teeth with their sharkskin suits, they would go on to sing, dance, and be at their very best at their now famous performances throughout the Las Vegas strip at now famous venues such as the Sands Hotel and Casino.
Who was in the Rat Pack in the 80s? ›Hall and seven other stars of the 1980s, Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Andrew McCarthy and Ally Sheedy, were dubbed the Brat Pack -- a play on the Rat Pack, the name given in the 1960s to the group of stars including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Why was it called Rat Pack? ›Actress Lauren Bacall gave them the name The Rat Pack, as the group got its start at Humphrey Bogart's house in California, where several actors (and singers) would meet up to hang out and Bacall thought they looked like rats.
What does it mean to be called a pack rat? ›: a person who collects or hoards especially unneeded items.
Which Rat Pack member drank orange in ale? ›Part of Frank Sinatra's famous 'Rat Pack', Dean Martin made a name for himself as a loveable 'drunk'. Whether on stage in Las Vegas or on the big screen in numerous films, the singer and actor was seldom seen without a Scotch in hand.
Did the Rat Pack use drugs? ›Martin had since become increasingly dependent on alcohol and prescription drugs. Davis had hip replacement surgery two years previously, and was estranged from Sinatra because of Davis's use of cocaine.
Where did the Rat Pack hang out in Vegas? ›Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
After all, it's where Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. and the rest of the Rat Pack were said to have had drinks together.
Frank Sinatra was an honorary pallbearer at Sammy Davis Jr.'s funeral. Sinatra canceled tour dates and flew to California to attend Davis' funeral. Per UPI, Sinatra was an honorary pallbearer and took a front-row seat along with other members of the Rat Pack.
What does the Rat Pack sing? ›Rat Pack
How many people were in the Rat Pack? ›All five members of the Rat Pack, from left, Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop, perform at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Jan.
Who married Peter Lawford? ›
Peter Lawford
How old was Joey Bishop when he died? › How old is Dean Martin? › How old is Sammy Davis Jr? › Who is Joey Bishop's son? ›Larry Bishop (born November 30, 1948) is an American actor, screenwriter and film director. He is the son of Sylvia Ruzga and comedian Joey Bishop.
What record label did Frank Sinatra own? ›Frank Sinatra
What did the Rat Pack died of? ›He was nonchalant and had an obsession with the game of golf. In 1988, his close friendship with Frank Sinatra ended and they became estranged. They reconciled some years later. Dean Martin died of acute respiratory failure brought on by emphysema on Christmas Day in 1995 in Beverly Hills.
Who did Dean Martin leave his money to? ›At the time of his death, Dean had amassed a huge reported fortune of $30million (£24million), but it is unclear who he left it to. It is possible that he left some money to his ex-wife Jean Biegger, and he also could have passed on his wealth to his eight children, according to reports.
Is Altovise Davis still alive? › How do I dress like Sammy Davis Jr? ›Sammy Davis Jr. wore his black tie ensembles nonchalantly. He would often wear a tuxedo shirt with pleated fronts and would always wear a self-tied bow tie. Indeed, it would often be untied at certain points during shows for an especially nonchalant look.
What brand of shoes did Dean Martin wear? ›
Dean's on-air footwear with his dinner suits was always a pair of black velvet Prince Albert evening slippers, both with and without gold embroidery.
What kind of suits did Frank Sinatra wear? ›Concerning his suit colour, Sinatra believed that men should wear dark suits (except for dark brown) at night, but would often go with gray and blue suits as well as plaid and pinstripe ones during the day. Also when in doubt, go for black tie except on Sundays.
What's another word for pack rat? ›In this page you can discover 12 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for pack-rat, like: hoarder, magpie, packrat, accumulator, collector, gatherer, squirrel, trade rat, bushytail woodrat, scavenger and saver.
What's the difference between a hoarder and a pack rat? ›A pack rat will clutter up their home or apartment with a lot of stuff, but when pressed for a reason, they'll insist they may have a use for it somewhere or at some time. A hoarder simply absorbs anything and everything without any definitive purpose for the largest percentage of the stuff they acquire.
How do I stop being a pack rat? ›- 1) Start slow. Decluttering is as much a mental process as a physical process. ...
- 2) Employ a helper. ...
- 3) Three questions to ask yourself when clearing clutter. ...
- 4) Put items to donate in a one month “hold” pile. ...
- 5) Enjoy your clutter-free space.
| Net Worth: | $30 Million |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m) |
| Profession: | Singer, Comedian, Actor, Professional Boxer, Musician, Songwriter, Film Producer, Presenter, Radio personality, Businessperson |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
Frank Sinatra was an honorary pallbearer at Sammy Davis Jr.'s funeral. Sinatra canceled tour dates and flew to California to attend Davis' funeral. Per UPI, Sinatra was an honorary pallbearer and took a front-row seat along with other members of the Rat Pack.
Did Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin get along? ›As Martin's solo career grew, he and Frank Sinatra became friends. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Martin and Sinatra, along with friends Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Who was the richest member of the Rat Pack? ›| Net Worth: | $10 Million |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth: | Feb 3, 1918 - Oct 17, 2007 (89 years old) |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 7 in (1.727 m) |
| Profession: | Comedian, Talk show host, Actor |
Who married Peter Lawford? ›
Peter Lawford
How old was Joey Bishop when he died? › How old is Peter Lawford died of? › What were Frank Sinatra's last words? ›Frank Sinatra, singer and actor
Last words: “I'm losing.” (Said to his wife.) Tour the fanciest hotels and jaw-dropping attractions of Las Vegas.
On Christmas day 1995, the great Dean Martin passed on at the age of 78. Jerry did not attend Dean's funeral. He did, though, appear at the memorial service. Jerry was asked to speak of his ex-partner and friend.
Did Frank Sinatra pay for Sammy Davis Jr? ›After SDJ had his car accident, Sinatra paid the medical bills. For Sammy, the admiration was mutual: “I wanted to be like him, I wanted to dress like him, I wanted to look like him, I took my hair and had it all done up, Sinatra style, with the little curl here and all.”
Who did Dean Martin leave his money to? ›At the time of his death, Dean had amassed a huge reported fortune of $30million (£24million), but it is unclear who he left it to. It is possible that he left some money to his ex-wife Jean Biegger, and he also could have passed on his wealth to his eight children, according to reports.
How much is Dean Martin's estate worth today? ›| Net Worth: | $30 Million |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m) |
| Profession: | Singer, Comedian, Actor, Professional Boxer, Musician, Songwriter, Film Producer, Presenter, Radio personality, Businessperson |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
Sinatra did not serve in the military during World War II. On December 11, 1943, he was officially classified 4-F ("Registrant not acceptable for military service") by his draft board because of a perforated eardrum.
Who were the five Rat Pack? ›It doesn't get more iconic than the Rat Pack—a.k.a. a group of performers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford.
Why is it called the Rat Pack? ›
Actress Lauren Bacall gave them the name The Rat Pack, as the group got its start at Humphrey Bogart's house in California, where several actors (and singers) would meet up to hang out and Bacall thought they looked like rats.
What did the Rat Pack died of? ›He was nonchalant and had an obsession with the game of golf. In 1988, his close friendship with Frank Sinatra ended and they became estranged. They reconciled some years later. Dean Martin died of acute respiratory failure brought on by emphysema on Christmas Day in 1995 in Beverly Hills.