Suffered from dementia in his final years.
The epitaph on his headstone reads "The best is yet to come."
The film, Von Ryan's Express (1965), was his most successful of the 1960s, grossing over $17 million US dollars in 1965.
The only member of the "Rat Pack" to win an Academy Award
The protagonist of A Hole in the Head is, Tony Manetta (Frank Sinatra), a Miami hotel operator of The Garden of Eden. The actual hotel used for the exterior shots was the Cardozo Hotel, located on Miami Beach's Ocean Drive. The hotel has been owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan for many years.
The protagonist of A Hole in the Head is, Tony Manetta (Frank Sinatra), a Miami hotel operator of The Garden of Eden. The actual hotel used for the exterior shots was the Cardozo Hotel, located on Miami Beach's Ocean Drive. The hotel has been owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan for many years.
Though he had a lot of affairs during his marriage with his first wife Nancy, it was his relationship with Ava Gardner that finally led to a divorce.
Thought by many to be the finest American popular singer of our time.
Throughout his life, Frank Sinatra was a strong supporter of Jewish causes. Sinatra stepped forward in the early 1940s, when big names were needed to rouse America into saving Europe's remaining Jews, and he sang at an "Action for Palestine" rally (1947). He sat on the board of trustees of the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and he donated over $1 million to Jerusalem 's Hebrew University, which honored him by dedicating the Frank Sinatra International Student Center. As the result of his support for the Jewish State, his movies and records were banned in some Arab countries.
Turned down the lead role in The Pajama Game (1957), which would have paired him up with Janis Paige, who played the role on Broadway. As a result, Paige lost out on playing the part to Doris Day, who was considered a bigger box- office draw.
Turned down the role of Paul Kersey in Death Wish (1974). It was eventually given to Charles Bronson, and was the role that made him an international superstar.
Underwent major surgery for intestinal cancer in 1986.
Was a great admirer of John F. Kennedy, campaigning for him in the 1960 presidential election and organizing his inauguration ball on 20 January 1961. In August 1962, Kennedy decided not to stay with Sinatra in Palm Springs, due to recent allegations of Mafia ties, and instead stayed with Bing Crosby - Sinatra's original rival and an active Republican.
Was active in Democratic Party politics from the 1944 presidential election until the late 1960s. In 1970 he supported Ronald Reagan's re-election campaign for Governor of California, and in 1972 he attended the Republican National Convention for the first time.
Was best friends with Dean Martin. Of all the members of the Rat Pack, he considered Dean his closest confidant and best friend.
Was broke by 1951. Ava Gardner had to pay his plane ticket, so he could accompany her to Africa, where she shot Mogambo (1953).
Was considered for the role of Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl (1968). This was vetoed by Barbra Streisand, as she didn't like him. The role was eventually played by Omar Sharif.
Was friends with fellow singer Rosemary Clooney. Two members of her family went on to appear in remakes of Sinatra films. Her nephew George Clooney appeared in Ocean's Eleven (2001) and its sequels, in Sinatra's role, while her son Miguel Ferrer appeared in a supporting role in The Manchurian Candidate (2004). Ferrer also voiced Danny Ocean in a "Robot Chicken" (2005) parody.
Was in line to star in Dirty Harry (1971) as was noted in several trade papers at the time. Irvin Kershner was slated to direct, but Sinatra had to back out of the project because of some trouble with a broken bone in his hand, although it has been suggested that he wanted to act in something lighter after the recent death of his father.
Was in talks to appear in The Verdict (1982).