Jean Martin

Jean Martin (1919–2004) was an American singer and actor. Born in Texas, she moved to New York and worked in radio and television during the 1950s. She was married to William Black, who was the founder of the Chock full o'Nuts restaurant chain and coffee brand. Early life Elta Jean Martin was born on December 6, 1919, in Cisco, Texas. She was the third of four daughters born to Effie Pearl Day and Lawrence Aulstin Martin, a railroad clerk who later became involved with the automobile trade. The family moved to Abilene, Texas, where Martin went to high school, graduating in 1938. Whilst at the school she was a member of the Wig and Mask, and the Cyclo-Drama dramatic clubs. On February 25, 1939, she married George Berry Harvey (born 1918), who was a fellow graduate of the Abilene High School. He qualified to be a mortician and the couple moved to Houston, where George worked at the Laughter Undertaking Company. Martin, who had previously been involved with beauty contests, moved to New York in 1945 with the intention of becoming a photographic model. She and her first husband parted and in 1946 she married Peter Joseph Pirrone (1913-1992), who was described as an employment agency manager in New York. Her first husband, George Harvey, remained in Houston where he died in a shooting incident in 1958. Singing career Singer/bandleader Rudy Vallée heard Martin sing at a party and he invited her to try out with his orchestra. He gave her advice and helped her to develop a style referred to as torch singing. After this she obtained bookings at venues such as George Gay’s Club ’78 and the La Rue nightclub. Later she worked on radio and television with Sammy Kaye, Morey Amsterdam, Jerry Lester and John Conte. She also had her own show called "Jean Martin Sings" on ABC, which ran for 26 weeks.