Danny Thomas
Biography
Danny Thomas, born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz on January 6 (listed as 1912 in a biographical summary and as 1914 on his TMDB profile), was an American nightclub comedian who worked as a television and film actor and producer for five decades. He died on February 6, 1991, at the age of 77. Thomas is most recognized for starring in the television sitcom Make Room for Daddy, also known as The Danny Thomas Show. In addition to his entertainment career, he founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He was the father of Marlo Thomas, Terre Thomas, and Tony Thomas. TMDB records list him as male, with 93 credited roles, and identify acting as his primary occupation.
Career overview
Danny Thomas, born on January 6, was an American entertainer whose career encompassed five decades of work in nightclubs, film, and television. He began as a nightclub comedian before transitioning to screen acting, where he accumulated a substantial body of work that includes ninety‑three credited performances. In addition to acting, Thomas took on producing responsibilities, contributing to the development of projects across both mediums. His professional name was supplemented by the alternate spelling Amos Alphonsus Muzyad Yaqoob, reflecting his birth name.
Thomas is most closely associated with the television sitcom that aired under the titles Make Room for Daddy and The Danny Thomas Show, in which he served as the lead performer. This series cemented his reputation as a prominent television figure and remains the role for which he is best remembered. Throughout his extensive career, Thomas maintained a consistent presence in the entertainment industry, appearing in a wide range of comedic and dramatic roles that highlighted his versatility as an actor and his ability to engage audiences over many years.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
108 titles- Sheldon Leonard's Wonderful Life (2011) as Self
- Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (2002) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy (1989) as Self
- Side by Side (1988) as Charlie Warren
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self
- The Spike Jones Story (1988) as Self
- Looney Tunes 50th Anniversary (1986) as Self
- One Big Family (1986)
- All Star Party for Clint Eastwood (1986) as Self (uncredited)
- Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers (1985) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business (1983) as Self
- Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980) as Self
- I'm a Big Girl Now (1980)
- The Return of Mod Squad (1979) Executive Producer
- Samurai (1979) Executive Producer
- Three on a Date (1978) as Man in Airport (uncredited)
- Three on a Date (1978) Executive Producer
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- The Practice (1976) as Dr. Jules Bedford
- The Practice (1976) Producer
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (1976) as Self
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Presenter
- Carter's Army (1975) Executive Producer
- Happy Days (1974)
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974) as Self
- Remember When (1974) Executive Producer
- Kojak (1973) as Asst. Chief Howard Brokaw
- The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) as Self
- Journey Back to Oz (1972) as Tin Man (voice)
- Second Chance (1972) Executive Producer
- The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971)
- The Pearl Bailey Show (1971) as Self
- Diana! (1971) as Self
- McCloud (1970)
- Make Room for Granddaddy (1970) as Danny Williams
- Make Room for Granddaddy (1970) Director
- The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (1970) Executive Producer
- The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1969) as Self
- The Over the Hill Gang (1969) Executive Producer
- The Ballad of Andy Crocker (1969) Executive Producer
- The Monk (1969) Executive Producer
- The Pigeon (1969) Executive Producer
- Wake Me When the War Is Over (1969) Executive Producer
- Here's Lucy (1968) as Danny Gallupi
- The Mod Squad (1968) as The Good Friend
- The Mod Squad (1968) Executive Producer
- Carnival Nights (1968) as Self
- The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967) Producer
- The Danny Thomas Hour (1967) as Self - Host
- The Danny Thomas Hour (1967) Producer
- Rango (1967) Producer
- Cricket on the Hearth (1967) as Caleb (voice)
- Cricket on the Hearth (1967) Executive Producer
- Mondo Hollywood (1967)
- That Girl (1966)
- That Girl (1966) Producer
- Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title (1966) as Diner Customer (uncredited)
- Get Smart (1965) as Man on Street (uncredited)
- The Wonderful World of Burlesque (1965) as Host
- Looking for Love (1964) as Self
- Rendezvous in Space (1964) as Interviewer / Narrator (voice)
- The Bill Dana Show (1963)
- The Bill Dana Show (1963) Director
- General Foods Opening Night (1963)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Lucy Show (1962) as Danny Thomas
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) as Kolak (uncredited)
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) Producer
- The Joey Bishop Show (1961) Producer
- The Joey Bishop Show (1961) Executive Producer
- The DuPont Show of the Week (1961) as Self
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Producer
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Creator
- The Big Party (1959) as Self
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- The Real McCoys (1957) Producer
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Danny Williams
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Gino Pelletti
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Ed Dubro
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (1956) as Self
- Lincoln Speaks for Himself (1955) as Self - Host
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Self
- The Jimmy Durante Show (1954) as Self
- The Danny Thomas Show (1953) as Danny Williams
- The Jazz Singer (1953) as Jerry Golding
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- I'll See You in My Dreams (1951) as Gus Kahn
- Call Me Mister (1951) as Pfc. Stanley Poppopolis
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self - Cameo
- Four Star Revue (1950) as Host
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Big City (1948) as Cantor David Irwin Feldman
- The Unfinished Dance (1947) as Mr. Paneros
- The Arab Americans as Self (Archival Footage)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Danny Thomas best known for?
Danny Thomas is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pollyanna (1960), 1900 (1976), Equinox Flower (1958), Equinox Flower (1958).
When and where was Danny Thomas born?
Danny Thomas was born on January 6, 1914. They passed away on February 6, 1991.
How many credits does Danny Thomas have?
Danny Thomas has accumulated over 108 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1947 to 2011.
What is Danny Thomas's background in cinema and television?
Danny Thomas, born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz on January 6 (listed as 1912 in a biographical summary and as 1914 on his TMDB profile), was an American nightclub comedian who worked as a television and film actor and producer for five decades. He died on February 6, 1991, at the age of 77. Thomas is most recognized for...
Danny Thomas by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Presenter — aged about 61
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Danny Williams — aged about 43
- Get Smart (1965) as Man on Street (uncredited) — aged about 51
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Self — aged about 40
- Happy Days (1974) — aged about 60
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) as Kolak (uncredited) — aged about 47
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