Above: Dick Haymes in 1966.
Dick Haymes
Richard Benjamin “Dick” Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was an American actor and singer. Born in Argentina (in which he was a naturalised citizen), to British parents he was one of the most popular male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s. He was the older brother of Bob Haymes, an actor, television host, and songwriter.
Haymes was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1918. His mother, whom Haymes predeceased, was Irish-born Marguerite Haymes (1894–1987), a well-known vocal coach and instructor. His father worked as a rancher and was of English descent. The Haymes traveled extensively before settling in the United States when Haymes was an infant.
Career
At the age of 17, Haymes moved to Los Angeles where he initially worked as a stunt man and film double. At the age of 19, he moved to New York City where he worked as a vocalist in a number of big bands. On September 3, 1942, Sinatra introduced Haymes on radio as Sinatra’s replacement in the Tommy Dorsey band. Prior to joining Dorsey’s group, Haymes sang with the Harry James orchestra.
In 1945 Haymes co-starred with Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews and Vivian Blaine in the musical State Fair. He teamed with female vocalist Helen Forrest for many hit duets during World War Two, including “Together,” “I’ll Buy That Dream,” and “Long Ago and Far Away”; he sang with Judy Garland on two Decca recordings of songs from the film The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, in which he appeared with Betty Grable.
He paired repeatedly with the Andrews Sisters (Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne) on a dozen or so Decca collaborations, including the Billboard hit “Teresa,” “Great Day,” “My Sin,” and a 1952 rendering of the dramatic ballad “Here in My Heart,” backed by the sisters and Nelson Riddle’s lush strings. His duets with Patty Andrews were also well received, both on Decca vinyl and on radio’s Club Fifteen with the sisters, which he hosted in 1949 and 1950. He also joined Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters for 1947 session that produced the Billboard hit “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” as well as “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better).” His popular renditions of tender ballads such as “Little White Lies” and “Maybe It’s Because” were recorded with celebrated arranger Gordon Jenkins and his orchestra and chorus.
He experienced serious financial problems later in life, by the early 1960s declaring bankruptcy with $500,000 in debts.
He appeared as unscrupulous doctor Elroy Gantman in a 1974 episode of the TV show Adam-12.
Marriages
Haymes was married six times, including to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941–1949), Rita Hayworth (1953–1955), and Fran Jeffries (1958–1964). He was also married to Nora Eddington (1949–1953), a former wife of Errol Flynn. Haymes had a total of six children—three with Joanne Dru, one with Fran Jeffries, and two with his sixth and final wife, British model Wendy Smith.
Death
On March 28, 1980, Haymes died from lung cancer in at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 61 years old.
Discography
78rpm albums
Dick Haymes Sings – Carmen Cavallaro at the Piano – Irving Berlin Songs (1948 Decca Record)
Original LPs
Rain or Shine (1955)
Moondreams (1957)
Look at Me Now! (1956 or 1957)
Richard the Lion-Hearted – Dick Haymes that is! (1960)
LP compilations[edit]
Dick Haymes (1950s)
Little White Lies (1958)
Dick Haymes – Maury Laws Orchestra / Featuring Cy Coleman (1960s)
Love Letters (1960s)
Spotlight On – Dick Haymes Sings Romantic Ballads – Featuring Johnny Kay (1960s)
Easy (1973)
Imagination (1982) (also available on CD.
Live LP albums
Dick Haymes Comes Home! (1973)
Selected CD compilations
(1990) Richard the Lion-Hearted – Dick Haymes that is! (1990) re-issue of the vinyl album
Imagination (1992)
The Very Best of Dick Haymes, Vol. 1 (1997)
The Very Best of Dick Haymes, Vol. 2 (1997)
The Complete Columbia Recordings – with Harry James and Benny Goodman (1998)
Little White Lies: 25 Original Mono Recordings 1942-1050. Living Era. ASV Mono. CD AJA 5387 (2001)
Christmas Wishes (2002, radio transcriptions)
Golden Years of Dick Haymes (2003)
The Complete Capitol Collection (2006)
Filmography
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) uncredited extra
Dramatic School (1938)
Du Barry Was a Lady (1943)
Four Jills in a Jeep (1944)
Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1944)
I Am an American (1944)
State Fair (1945)
Diamond Horseshoe (1945)
Do You Love Me (1946)
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947)
Carnival in Costa Rica (1947)
Up in Central Park (1948)
One Touch of Venus (1948)
St. Benny the Dip (1951)
Hollywood Fun Festival (1952)
All Ashore (1953)
Cruisin’ Down the River (1953)
Adam-12 (1974) (TV)
Betrayal (1974) (TV)
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)
The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978) (TV – episode “Murder on the Flip Side”)
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