Angie Dickinson Finally Speaks Up About Dean Martin…

Dean Martin was one of Hollywood’s most outstanding legends, not only for his smooth voice but also for his unique sense of humor. However, to Angie Dickinson, his co-star in the film Rio Bravo, Dean was someone entirely different—a man few had the chance to see beyond the spotlight. Through Angie’s reflections, we gain a special perspective on Dean Martin and his colorful career.

From a Difficult Childhood to Hollywood Stardom

Angie Dickinson, born on September 30, 1931, in Kilm, North Dakota, grew up in a modest family with fond memories of her father, Leo, screening movies weekly in their small town. These cherished moments sparked her early love for cinema.

Angie Dickinson Today: Health Tips for Living From the 90+ Year-Old Actress

In 1942, her family moved to Burbank, California, seeking a fresh start after her father struggled with alcoholism. In California, Angie excelled in school, graduating high school at 15 and winning numerous essay contests. Her big break came in 1953 when she participated in a local beauty contest, placing second and opening doors to the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, grew up in an Italian-American household. Dean endured a tough childhood, being teased for not speaking English until the age of five. After dabbling in boxing and working various odd jobs, he discovered his talent for singing and began performing at small bars under the stage name Dino Martini.

A Fateful Meeting on the Set of Rio Bravo

In 1959, Angie Dickinson and Dean Martin crossed paths on the set of Rio Bravo. The film was a turning point for both their careers. Angie’s portrayal of “Feathers” showcased her natural acting talent and captivating beauty, earning her a Golden Globe for “Most Promising Newcomer.”

Angie Dickinson #26 by Mediapunch

Dean, on the other hand, demonstrated his acting versatility, stepping beyond his comedic and musical roots to play a deputy sheriff struggling with alcoholism. His performance added depth to the film, and his on-screen camaraderie with John Wayne became a hallmark of buddy dynamics in Westerns.

Behind the scenes, Dean Martin was a source of humor and warmth. Angie fondly described him as a generous, humble man who made everyone around him

Angie Dickinson Today: Health Tips for Living From the 90+ Year-Old Actress

It’s safe to say that Angie Dickinson has had one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood. She began working in the industry in 1954, only retiring in 2009. Yet she isn’t out of the spotlight completely. Now in her 90s, she still looks incredible. In a recent interview, she shared the secrets for her impressive health, along with her thoughts on the different movies she acted in over the years.

Time in Hollywood

Angie Dickinson is an American actress with a successful career spanning several decades, known for her many roles in film and television. She gained prominence in the 1950s and ’60s, appearing in notable films such as Rio Bravo alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin. Dickinson became a prominent leading lady in the following years, starring in movies like Point Blank and Big Bad Mama, which showcased her versatility and charisma.

Young Angie Dickinson sitting with her knees crossed in a yellow plaid dress, smiling at the camera.

Angie Dickinson poses in a yellow dress, c. 1955. (Photo Credit: Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)

In the 1970s, she also made a mark on television, starring in the crime drama series Police Woman from 1974 to 1978. The role earned her a 1975 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

Throughout her career, Dickinson worked with acclaimed directors such as Howard Hawks, John Boorman, and Brian De Palma. She demonstrated her ability to tackle diverse roles across different genres, solidifying her status as one of the iconic actresses of her generation

91 going on 50

Taking one look at Dickinson in 2023, you wouldn’t guess that the actress was 91. But she didn’t shy away from sharing exactly what she thinks has kept her so healthy over the years during an interview with Closer Weekly. 

When asked how she’s kept her vitality, she said, “I’m largely a vegetarian — except for occasional country fried chicken. I don’t eat a big dinner. I sleep eight hours a night. I do my own gardening, and I stay out of trouble.” Seems like some pretty sound advice.

Angie Dickinson looking up to the sky and holding out one arm, wearing a black and white jacket and black shirt and pants.

Angie Dickinson speaks onstage during the opening night gala and the world premiere of the 4k restoration of Rio Bravo during the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre, April 13, 2023. (Photo Credit: Charley Gallay / Getty Images for TCM)

She also decided to impart more wisdom, sharing with the readers her greatest lessons. Dickinson said, “I’ve learned to never miss a sunset if it’s possible. I’ve learned to be kind when I want to swear like hell.

And I’ve learned to just stop talking when I’ve said enough.” Not only did Dickinson share these intimate details, but she also opened up about some of her time in the industry. Having starred alongside some of her generation’s best actors, she had some interesting things to say.

Sharing other secrets

Rio Bravo, which was re-released in 4k in 2023, was the film that catapulted Dickinson to stardom. She recalled how she felt when production first started in the 1950s: “It was extra scary. They all were already there and had a dinner party [to welcome] me. It was John Wayne, Howard Hawks and the cameramen, everybody. It hit me how big a movie this was. I hadn’t realized it until I got there.”

Frank Sinatra in a tweed jacket rests his arm beside Angie Dickinson's head. She looks at him while wearing a black dress and holding a purse.

Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean, and Angie Dickinson as Beatrice Ocean, in Ocean’s Eleven, 1960. (Photo Credit: Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)
Dickinson also reminisced about her experience on the set of Ocean’s 11, another of the major films she starred in. Speaking of the many male actors, she said, ” Nobody was as lucky as I was to be around them! They were full of pranks, as you can imagine with 11 of those guys, and monkeying around and playing tricks on each other. I wasn’t part of the tricks. That was a man’s world. But it was a great honor to be in the movie.”

Thoughts on John Wayne

The actress was asked about various past relationships as well, including Frank Sinatra and Burt Bacharach. Even though she was never involved with him on a personal level, she was asked about fellow Rio Bravo actor John Wayne many times.

They hit it off, as he was “so generous. This was John Wayne! This is his 300th movie! He was such a pro. And such a gentleman. He would just quietly lean on his rifle and just wait for me to get the scene right, which was very difficult.”

Angie Dickinson and John Wayne peak through a whole in a wall together.

Angie Dickinson and John Wayne star in the western Rio Bravo, 1959. (Photo Credit:  Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)
Dickinson said that he was one of the best actors she ever worked with because he was so incredibly patient with her the entire time they were filming. She also shared that because he was married when they met, she “didn’t get a good whack at him,” but did think that, “I think if he hadn’t been attached, we might have gone out and had a good time of it. He was divine.”

Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University.Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way.

With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her partner, her cats, and her horse, or sitting down to read a good book.

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