Ray Anthony: The Last Living Legend of the Big Band Era

 

Ray Anthony is a retired American bandleader, trumpeter, songwriter and actor. He is the last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He was born on January 20, 1922 in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he studied the trumpet with his father.

He played in several famous bands, including Glenn Miller’s, Jimmy Dorsey’s and Al Donahue’s, before forming his own band in the Midwest. He had several hit records, such as “The Bunny Hop”, “Hokey Pokey”, “Dragnet” and “Peter Gunn”. He also appeared in movies and television shows, such as Daddy Long Legs, The Five Pennies, High School Confidential, Girls Town, and TV’s Top Tunes.

He married actress Mamie Van Doren in 1955, and they had a son named Perry Anthony. They divorced in 1961. He later ran his own record company, Wood Records, for nine years. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording in 1960. He is still active as a musician and entertainer, and celebrated his 100th birthday in 2022.

Some untold facts about Ray Anthony are: He was fired twice from the Glenn Miller Orchestra for being too young and cocky.

He played in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu during World War II, entertaining the troops.

He resembled Cary Grant so much that it became a joke between them.

He ran his own record company, Wood Records, for nine years.

He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2022, surrounded by friends and his son Perry Anthony.

Ray Anthony had a famous love story with actress Mamie Van Doren, whom he married in 195512 They had a son named Perry Anthony, who was born on March 18, 1956. However, their marriage did not last long, and they divorced in 1961, citing “cruelty”.

After his divorce, Anthony focused on his musical career and his record company, Wood Records. He did not remarry, and he is still active as a musician and entertainer at the age of 1021. He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2022, surrounded by friends and his son Perry. He is the last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.