10 Facts About Frank Sinatra That Will Make You Miss Ol' Blue Eyes

Vintage | Celebrity

10 Facts About Frank Sinatra That Will Make You Miss Ol' Blue Eyes

Telegraph

Francis Albert Sinatra, more famously known as Frank Sinatra, was asked to change his name to Frank Satin because he had such a smooth voice.

Aren't you glad that he didn't though?

The music legend died of cardiac arrest at the age of 82, but left a legacy of nostalgia-inducing films and smooth records.

Here are 10 facts about Ol' Blue Eyes.

1. Sinatra almost died right after his mother gave birth.

He was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. A forcep, which is a surgical instrument that looks like a pair of tongs, was used to assist in delivering the soon-to-be star. He was blue and not breathing when he exited the womb, and was almost pronounced dead, until his grandmother stuck him under some cold water.

2. He was known as "Scarface."

The forceps that were used to pull him out of his mother's womb left a mark on the left side of Sinatra's face. It ran from the corner of his mouth to his jawline and up towards his ear. That's why he hated to be photographed on his left side.

3. He wore elevator shoes.

Sinatra stood at five-seven, which made him feel incredibly insecure. He usually wore elevator shoes to boost his height up a few inches. Lucky for him, these shoes were also stylish at the time.

4. He tried to commit suicide several times.

The early '50s was not a great time for this mega superstar. His relationship with actress Ava Gardner led to three suicide attempts. Another time, he saw girls waiting to get into Eddie Fisher's concert in Times Square and suddenly felt a pang of depression. He went back to his apartment, put his head on the stove, and turned the gas on. He was found sobbing by his manager soon after the suicide attempt.

5. He had run-ins with the law.

The infamous 1938 mugshot says it all.

He was arrested twice, once for seduction and the other time for adultery. One time he was at a nightclub when one of his girlfriends attacked his wife-to-be, Nancy.

Are you really surprised that he was a ladies man?

6. His most famous song is "My Way."

The song has also been recorded in various languages. It's estimated that more than 60 people have covered the song, including Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.

7. Sinatra was adamantly against racial discrimination and prejudice.

The singer refused to play in places where African-Americans where prohibited from attending as guests. His efforts spread awareness about the issue of segregation and helped change the attitudes of many Americans.

The House I Live In, a short film that stars Frank Sinatra, was made to oppose anti-Semitism at the end of WWII. Wikipedia

8. He became one of America's first teen idols in the '40s.

Sinatra didn't do this all on his own. One time his publicist auditioned girls who could scream the loudest, then he'd place them in Sinatra's audience to stir up excitement.

9. He helped name Scooby-Doo, but he really didn't mean to.

According to CBS exec Fred Silverman, Frank's signature "Scoo-Be-Do-Be-Do" from the song "Strangers in the Night" inspired the Great Dane's name. Mystery solved.

10. He was buried with a bottle of his favorite whiskey.

He loved to mix four ice cubes, two fingers of Jack Daniel's whiskey, and a splash of water. "This is a gentlemen's drink," he once said.

Which Frank Sinatra song is your favorite? Let us know!

Moojan has been a writer at Shared for a year. When she's not on the lookout for viral content, she's looking at cute animal photos. Reach her at moojan@shared.com.