Danny Thomas

Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas in 1957
Born	Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz (later anglicized to Amos Jacobs Kairouz) (1912-01-06)January 6, 1912 Deerfield, Michigan, U.S.
Died	February 6, 1991(1991-02-06) (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Amos Jacobs
Years active	1947–1991
Spouse(s)	Rose Marie Mantell Thomas (m. 1936–91) his death; 3 children
Children	Tony Thomas Marlo Thomas Terre Thomas (b. 1942)

Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz (January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991), known professionally by his stage name Danny Thomas, was an American nightclub comedian, singer, actor, and producer, whose career spanned five decades. He had also appeared as a guest on several talk and variety shows.

Thomas's long career began in films in 1947, playing opposite child actor Margaret O'Brien in both movies: The Unfinished Dance (1947) and In a Corner of Spain (1949). He then achieved continuing success starring in the long-running television sitcom Make Room for Daddy (also known as The Danny Thomas Show) (1953–1964), in which Thomas played the lead role of Danny Williams. He was also the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He was the father of Marlo Thomas, Terre Thomas, and Tony Thomas.

One of 10 children, Danny Thomas was born as Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz on January 6, 1912, in Deerfield, Michigan, to Charles Yakhoob Kairouz and his wife Margaret Taouk. His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from Lebanon. Kairouz and Taouk are two prominent families from Bsharri. Thomas was raised in Toledo, Ohio, attending St. Francis de Sales Church (Roman Catholic), Woodward High School, and finally the University of Toledo, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Thomas was confirmed in the Catholic Church by the bishop of Toledo, Samuel Stritch. Stritch, a native of Tennessee, was a lifelong spiritual advisor for Thomas, and advised him to locate the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. He married Rose Marie Cassaniti in 1936, a week after his 24th birthday.