Dean Martin's Daughter Revealed That Her Dad Was Actually a Family Man with Traditional Values

Dean Martin enjoyed a stellar career in show business, but the actor had a bad reputation that preceded him. However, years after Martin's death, the actor's daughter would make some shocking revelations about her father, contrary to the public's opinion. Find out what she said.

American Comedian, Actor, and Singer Dean Martin were one of the most famous figures in the entertainment industry during the peak of his career.

He was often described as "The King of Cool" and was well known for his excellent sense of humor and charisma. However, the show business legend also had a reputation as an alcoholic.

Martin would always appear on stage and during shows with a drink and cigarette in his hands. In addition, the icon was also believed to be an ardent womanizer. A member of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack, the star was often recognized as a playboy.

But on the contrary, Martin's life was far from what everyone believed, and for the singer, everything was not as simple as it appeared. Martin faced different difficulties in his lifetime, including losses and failed marriages. Here are details of the actor's personal life.

MARTIN'S FIRST MARRIAGE

Martin's first marriage was to Elizabeth Anne "Betty" McDonald. The pair tied the knot in 1941 and welcomed four kids together. The former couple welcomed their first child, Craig, in 1942. Two years later, Martin and Betty celebrated the arrival of their second child, Claudia.

The ex-couple's third child, Gail, was born in 1945, while their last child, Deana, arrived in 1948. Unfortunately, in 1949, Martin and Betty called it quits after eight years.

Reports revealed that the pair's marriage ended due to various factors, including Betty's rising problems with alcohol and Martin's multiple affairs.

MARTIN'S LOVE LIFE AFTER THE DIVORCE

Shortly after his first divorce, Martin walked down the aisle for the second time with late Model and Orange Bowl Queen Jeanne Biegger. The duo first met in 1948 when Biegger attended a New Year's Eve show starring Martin and his partner, Jerry Lewis, in Beachcomber Club, Miami.

Born on March 27, 1927, the late model confessed to Nick Tosches that as soon as she sighted Martin on stage, they locked eyes and fell "madly in love with each other."

On September 1, 1949, Martin and Biegger exchanged wedding vows in Beverly Hills, and afterward, they were photographed together on many occasions, making them one of Hollywood's most photographed couples.

For Martin and Biegger, the next few years would be filled with bliss. They welcomed three children between 1951 and 1956 — Dean, born in 1951; Ricci, born in 1953; and Gina, born in 1956.

In addition to the duo's three children, Biegger raised Martin's four children from his previous marriage, whom he won custody of following his divorce. Martin and his ex-wife's union would last for more than two decades, making it the singer's longest marriage.

MARTIN AS A FATHER AND FAMILY MAN

Although Martin was often described as a womanizer, he considered family essential. Being a great father was a priority to the comedian, which he excelled at.

During a 2017 interview with Fox News, the singer's daughter, Deana, spoke candidly about her dad and only had nice things to say. In her words:

"My dad would walk out in a tuxedo with a red pocket square. He would sing, and he was funny. He looked great, and the audience loved him. It was like magic. So I always wanted to be an entertainer."

Even though Martin was a funny father, Deana admitted that he was also quite strict. According to her, he would go, "These are the rules. 'You make your bed in the morning; you clean up, come home straight from school, do your homework, and are on time for dinner. And this is it. If you don't want to live by those rules, there's the door.'"

Still, Deana and her siblings loved Martin and did not want to do anything to disappoint him. In addition to being a good father, the singer was also a proper family man who came home for dinner every evening. Despite his busy schedule as a famous entertainer, Martin made time for his family.

In a chat session, Deana made it known that her father was always around during Christmas, and they would often have fun trimming the trees.

He was a patient and sweet family man who availed himself of going shopping with Deana for her birthday present. Indeed, his dedication to parenthood was unmatched.

Martin loved his kids to the point that he would rather be with them than be at work. He barely traveled because he cherished being at home.

Martin would play games with his children, wearing a smile on his face all the time, and at some point, his children would always anticipate his return whenever he traveled for work.

The comedian's love for his kids went as far as him supporting their desire to become famous. Overall, Martin appeared to be the ideal family man. Most importantly, Deana noted that her father was never a heavy drinker.

According to her, most of the time, the actor was seen with a glass of alcohol while performing; it was just apple juice. In the end, Deana relayed that Martin was different from what everyone thought he was.

MORE DETAILS ABOUT MARTIN'S PERSONAL LIFE

Although Martin's family seemed ideal, his marriage to Biegger would eventually end. The pair divorced in 1973 after staying married for more than two decades. That same year, the singer exchanged wedding vows with Beverly Hills Salon Receptionist Catherine Hawn for the third time.

Sadly their relationship was short-lived and came to an end after the Hollywood star filed for divorce in 1976. Martin's marriage to Hawn did not yield any offspring, but the actor adopted his ex-wife's daughter from a previous marriage, Sasha.

After Martin and Hawn's divorce, the former reconciled with his second wife, Biegger, and the pair rekindled their romance. However, they did not remarry. Together, the duo faced challenging situations, including the death of their son, Dean Paul.

Paul, a California Air National Guard member, passed away in March 1987 after a plane crash during a Military training flight. He was 37. Almost a decade later, Martin's family was thrown into another state of mourning following the actor's demise on December 25, 1995.

The Grammy Award-Winning singer has been battling kidney problems for a few years and was diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema two years before death.

According to a report, Martin died from acute respiratory failure in his Beverly Hills home. His seven children and Biegger survived him.

The latter eventually passed away in 2016, more than two decades after Martin's death and three weeks after her son, Ricci's demise. It has been almost thirty years since Martin's passing, and his daughter, Deana, is keen on keeping her father's legacy alive.

She once released a memoir about Martin's life titled "Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter's Eyes." In addition, she performs some of the singer's melodies alongside her songs.