Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Born in United States · Nationality American — Music / film / television / personal life
Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “Rat Pack: racial and religious humour targeting Sammy Davis Jr., problematic by later standards” and “1988: weakened performance on Rat Pack reunion tour followed by withdrawal for medical reasons”.
Profile No. 2513 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
années 1960–1988
Rat Pack performances regularly included jokes about Sammy Davis Jr.'s skin colour, conversion to Judaism, short stature and eye. Martin participated directly in this style of humour, still evident during the 1988 reunion tour.
Last verified: 15 September 2026
March 1988
At the beginning of the Rat Pack reunion tour, Martin was described as the most visibly weakened member, forgetting lyrics and drawing negative reactions from some audience members. A few days later, he left the tour after being hospitalised with kidney problems and was subsequently replaced by Liza Minnelli.
Last verified: 15 September 2026
May–August 1982
Martin was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. Tests ultimately found no alcohol in his blood. Police did, however, find a loaded .38 revolver concealed in his boot; he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanour weapons offences and received a fine and one year's probation.
Last verified: 15 September 2026
fin des années 1950–années 1980
Martin made apparent drunkenness a central part of his stage persona: glass in hand, relaxed delivery and jokes about alcohol. His family and colleagues explained that the glass frequently contained apple juice and that his image as a heavy drinker was largely constructed.
Last verified: 15 September 2026
July 1956
Martin & Lewis split up after a decade at the top. Tensions concerned the distribution of attention, creative control and Martin's desire to escape the role of mere supporting performer; they barely spoke to each other for twenty years.
Last verified: 15 September 2026
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