According to his guardian, in 1962 he earned approximately $200,000.
Attended Southern High School in Philadelphia, PA, where one of his classmates was Larry Chance, later to become lead singer of the rock group Larry Chance & The Earls.
Had first charted hit with "The Class" (1959). which is noted for his impersonations of Fabián Forte and Fats Domino.
His daughter, Mistie Williams, plays basketball at Duke University.
His name, "Chubby Checker", is a play on the name of another famous singer of his era, Fats Domino. The name was suggested by the wife of "New American Bandstand 1965" (1952) host Dick Clark.
His wife, Catherina, was the 1962 Miss World from Holland.
Rumor always had it that he was a chicken-plucker in Philadelphia before he made it big with "The Twist".