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ent001149-001
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I agree.FOLADARE* GREER & BOCK 17*+1 Ivar Avenue Hollywood 289 California HOllyvood 9-8135 October 1, 195^ DANNY THOMAS BIOGRAPHY Danny Thomas* the shopman whom old-timers in the business call the greatest story-teller of them all* has a story of a rise to fame and fortune that is a natural* It contains not only the "rags to riches" element, but a spiritual and philosophical content inherent in all good life histories* Danny was born Amos Jacobs on January 6* 1E9EL in Dearfield* Michigan* to Charles and Margaret Jacobs, both immigrants from Syria (now Lebanon)* and members of the Maronite Rite of the Roman Catholic Church* He was the fifth child in a family of nine boys and one girl* and was given to an aunt-and uncle to raise because of financial circumstances* However* these "second parents*" Tony and Julia Simon* always lived with or close to the Jacobses* and Danny had instilled in him early the importance of family unity* It is one of his outstanding characteristics today. Charles Jacobs* a strong* proud man* who died in 19*+8 after a courageous battle with illness* was first a farmer* then a horse breeder* and then a confectioneer* By this time both families had moved to Toledo* Ohio* and it was here that Danny first felt the call to be an entertainer for he worked as a candy butcher in local burlesque theaters. Meanwhile his father was teaching him to play two odd European instruments* the Miz Wiz and the Noy. (more)