biography
Born Francis Avallone in Philadelphia on September 18, 1940, Frankie Avalon first came to the attention of American Bandstand's Dick
Clark while still in high school. He cut his first album in 1958 but had been making recordings for several years prior to that, primarily
as a trumpeter, not a singer. As a youth, Avalon mastered the trumpet and at age 13 was featured on the CBS TV series The Jackie
Gleason Show during its first season. A few years later, when he traded his trumpet for a microphone, Avalon was featured in the
rock and roll film Jamboree (1957; with Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis). In 1958, the young singer signed with Chancellor Records and,
between 1958 and 1962, he charted 13 singles in the Billboard Top 40, including two number one
hits: Venus topped the charts for five weeks in early 1959, and Why shot to number one in early 1960.Avalon entered films while still a teenager in the Warner Bros. western Guns of the Timberland (1959; with Alan Ladd and Gilbert Roland). In the 1960s, he put his singing career on the back burner in favor of his acting career. Some of Avalon's films from this period include Panic in Year Zero (1962; with Ray Milland and Jean Hagen), and The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967; with George Nader and Shirley Eaton). Avalon is best known for the Beach Party series of films; he appeared in six of the seven AIP entries in this genre, starting with Beach Party (1963; with Annette Funicello and Dorothy Malone). |
the films of frankie avalonPanic in Year Zero! (1962)
From the AIP science fiction thriller Panic in Year Zero with Ray MillandDrums of Africa (1963)
From the MGM adventure Drums of Africa with Lloyd BochnerBikini Beach (1964)
Frankie Avalon in his dual role in Bikini BeachMuscle Beach Party (1964)
The second of the seven beach party films, AIP's Muscle Beach Party finds the gang fighting for the right to cavort on the beach. Pictured are Jody McCrea, Dick Dale, John Ashley, Frankie Avalon, and Annette FunicelloSki Party (1965) 
From American International's comedy Ski Party. LEFT: With Yvonne Craig, Dwayne Hickman, and Deborah Walley. RIGHT: With Yvonne Craig, Deborah Walley, Aron Kincaid, Robert Q. Lewis, Mike Nader, and Dwayne HickmanBeach Blanket Bingo (1965) 
From AIP's Beach Blanket Bingo. LEFT: With Annette Funicello, Mike Nader, Jody McCrea, and Linda Evans. RIGHT: With Annette Funicello, John Ashley, and Deborah Walley. This marks the last beach party film in which Avalon has a major role, although he does appear briefly in How to Stuff a Wild BikiniSergeant Dead Head (1965) 
From the AIP comedy Sergeant Dead Head. LEFT: With Harvey Lembeck and John Ashley. RIGHT: With Deborah WalleyI'll Take Sweden (1965)
With Jeremy Slate in the United Artists comedy release I'll Take SwedenThe Patty Duke Show (1963-1966 ABC TV Series)
With Patty Duke in a 1965 episode of The Patty Duke ShowThe Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967)
Avalon is secret agent Tommy Carter in the American International Pictures crime thriller The Million Eyes of Sumuru. Also pictured is George NaderHorror House (1970)
Avalon stars in the American International Pictures horror flick Horror HouseLove, American Style (1969-1971 ABC TV Series)
From the ABC situation comedy Love, American Style in an episode titled Love and the Tuba, originally airing in December 1971. Also pictured are Gary Crosby and Annette FunicelloBack to the Beach (1987)
From the beach comedy Back to the Beach with Tommy Hinkley, Lori Loughlin, and Annette Funicellofrankie avalon todaySince 1962, Avalon has been married to wife Kay, and the Avalons have eight children. Today, Avalon tends to his health products business and occasionally makes film or television appearances. Visit the Official Frankie Avalon Website for more information. |
filmographyFILM
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This page premiered May 28, 1999.
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