Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck Artistfacts

  • May 2, 1936
  • His birth name was Thomas Arnold George Dorsey. Born in Madras, India, his father was a captain in the Royal Engineers.
  • He recorded for a short time under the name Gerry Dorsey. This pseudonym was chosen because of his accurate Jerry Lewis impersonation.
  • Has frequently been likened to Tom Jones because of their smooth, pop style. The two even shared the same manager (Gordon Mills) for a short time.
  • Humperdinck almost gave up singing in the early Sixties when he contracted tuberculosis.
  • Gordon Mills, his manager, was the one who suggested the name change to Humperdinck. It is the name of the Austrian composer of Hansel and Gretel.
  • He hosted a variety show in 1970, based on Tom Jones' This Is Tom Jones. Humperdinck's show was canceled after six months.
  • After the early 1990's, he has been known simply as Engelbert.
  • His song "Lesbian Seagull" off the Beavis & Butthead Soundtrack introduced him to a new generation.
  • Humperdinck won a Golden Globe in 1988 as Entertainer of the Year. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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