Trivia

His daughter Antonia Bennett has sung alongside her father since the age of four.

When 85-year-old Bennett's album "Duets II" topped the Billboard 200 chart in September of 2011 he became the oldest living artist in history to capture the peak position. The record had previously been held by Bob Dylan, whose "Together Through Life" (2009) debuted at #1 when Dylan was 67. In September 2014 Bennett broke his own record at age 88 when his duet album "Cheek to Cheek" with Lady Gaga also debuted at #1.

Was a close friend of Frank Sinatra.

Bob Hope suggested Tony change his stage name from "Joe Bari" to "Tony Bennett."

In 2011 when he recorded "Body and Soul" with Amy Winehouse for his "Duets II" album, it would mark her final recording before her untimely death. The age gap between both artists was just over 57 years.

Friends with Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Martin Luther King, Florence Henderson, Angela Lansbury, Julie London, and Jacqueline Kennedy.

Signs his paintings/portraits simply "Benedetto", his birth name.

Tony's duet with wunderkind Jackie Evancho on "When You Wish Upon a Star" marked a unique collaboration, considering the age gap between both artists was over 73 years.

Nearly died after overdosing on cocaine in 1979.

His chance to perform at the Triborough Bridge opening in 1936 was arranged by his uncle Frank, the Queens Borough library commissioner. There he stood next to and received pats on the head from legendary Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.

In 2001 he founded The Frank Sinatra High School of Performing Arts in Queens, NY, named after his long-time friend Frank Sinatra.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1560 Vine St.

He is an accomplished painter with an art studio in New York City, USA.

Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.

In 2011 his Belvedere (CA) mansion--9500 sq.ft / 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 7-car parking) went on sale with an asking price of $27.5 million.

With his 15th and 16th wins at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards--Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (with Amy Winehouse) for "Body and Soul" and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for "Duets II"--Bennett captured the record for the longest Grammy participation span of 49 years between wins.

Father, with Patricia Ann Beech, of son Danny Bennett, who is also Tony's manager.

His favorite movie is Kho Báu Ở Sierra Madre (1948).

Recipient of the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors. Other recipients were Robert Redford, Tina Turner, Suzanne Farrell, and Julie Harris.

Co-founder, with his wife Susan Benedetto (nee Susan Crow), the charitable organization, "Exploring the Arts".

Well known for hit ballads like "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" (a come back hit released in 1962), and "Rags to Riches" (released in 1954).

As of November 2010 he was living in Englewood, NJ, USA.

His sons Danny and Robert act as his managers and operate as rock band Neon.

In the 1980 book "The Golden Turkey Awards" by Harry and Michael Medved, Tony won the award for "The Worst Performance by a Popular Singer" for his role as Hymie Kelly in the 1966 film "The Oscar".

Bennett didn't tell his own story when performing; he let the music speak instead - the Gershwins and Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern. Unlike his friend and mentor Sinatra, he would interpret a song rather than embody it. Bennett appealed with an easy, courtly manner and an uncommonly rich and durable voice - "A tenor who sings like a baritone," he called himself.

Despite his hit ballad song, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," he was actually born in New York.

On May 20, 2002, he received the Pied Piper lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and his wife, Matilda Cuomo, were witnesses to the civil ceremony between Tony & Susan Benedetto (nee Susan Crow).

He was inducted into the 2011 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his contributions to the Arts and Entertainment Industry.

Winner of the 2017 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Friends with Joe Mantegna.

His idols were Fats Waller, Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra.

Lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party.

On Jan. 4, 2007, he sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at the celebrations for the inauguration of Nancy Pelosi as first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Was discovered by Pearl Bailey in 1949 and invited him to open for her in Greenwich Village. Bob Hope was in the audience and brought him to the Paramount to sing with him. He's the one who named him "Tony Bennett".

Passed away on July 21, 2023, just 13 days shy of his 97th birthday.

Was drafted into the United States Army during World War II and saw combat while serving in the 63rd Infantry Division which was sent to France and Germany. His unit was involved in the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp in Kaufering/Landsberg Germany.

Tony Bennett was interred alongside his parents at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens, New York, USA.