Bing Crosby Biography: Age, Career, Net Worth, Wife, Ethnicity, Death

Bing Crosby was a talented American singer, actor, and entertainer widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century popular music and Hollywood.

With his smooth baritone voice and relaxed style, he dominated the music charts for decades, sold over 500 million records worldwide, and starred in numerous successful films, earning him a lasting place in entertainment history.

Profile

• Full Name: Harry Lillis Crosby Jr.
• Stage Name: Bing Crosby
• Born: May 3, 1903
• Died: October 14, 1977 (age 74)
• Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Irish-American
• Occupation: Singer, Actor, Radio Personality, Entertainer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Harry Lowe Crosby Sr., Catherine Helen Crosby
• Siblings: Five
• Spouse: Dixie Lee (M. 1930–1952), Kathryn Grant (M. 1957–1977)
• Children: Gary, Dennis, Phillip, Lindsay, Harry III, Mary, and Nathaniel
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $50 million USD

Early Life and Education

Bing Crosby was born on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington. Raised in Spokane, Washington, in a large Irish-American Catholic family, he grew up listening to music and performing in local groups.

He attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, where he studied law briefly but left to pursue music full-time. His nickname “Bing” came from a childhood fascination with a comic strip character named Bingo. His ethnicity is Irish-American. His religion is Christianity.

Career

Bing Crosby first rose to prominence in the late 1920s with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, where he recorded his early hits. He became a solo star in the 1930s, dominating radio with his own programs and recording classics like “White Christmas,” which remains the best-selling single of all time with over 50 million copies sold.

His easy-going crooning style revolutionized popular singing. In film, he starred in over 70 movies, including the Road series with Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour (Road to Singapore, Road to Morocco, etc.), and musicals like Going My Way (1944), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor.

He earned three more Oscar nominations and hosted the Academy Awards multiple times. Crosby also pioneered pre-recording techniques in radio and television, influencing modern broadcasting. He recorded hundreds of albums, starred in holiday specials, and remained active in music and charity until his death from a heart attack while golfing in Spain in 1977.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award for Best Actor: Going My Way (1944)
• Academy Award Nominations: The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945), The Country Girl (1954)
• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumous)
• Peabody Award

Social Media

Bing Crosby does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Bing Crosby, at the time of his death at 74, was a talented singer, actor, and entertainer. He married actress-singer Dixie Lee in 1930; they had four sons. The marriage lasted until her death from cancer in 1952. In 1957, he married actress Kathryn Grant, 30 years his junior, and they had three children.

He remained married to Kathryn until his death. Crosby was known for his golfing passion, philanthropy, and family life, though later accounts described a strict side to his relationship with his older children. He enjoyed sports, travel, and recording, leaving a legacy as a family man and entertainer.

Net Worth

Bing Crosby was estimated at $50 million USD at the time of his death (equivalent to over $250 million in today’s dollars after adjustments). His wealth came from record sales, film contracts, radio shows, investments, and business ventures, including real estate and a stake in the Del Mar racetrack.