Danny Thomas

About

Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz (January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991), known professionally as Danny Thomas, was an American entertainer, producer, and philanthropist. After launching his career in the 1940s in radio and cinema, he created and starred in the 1953–1964 television sitcom Make Room for Daddy / The Danny Thomas Show, and went on to produce a number of successful television programs. In 1962, he leveraged his celebrity status to establish St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a leading center in pediatrics research and treatment, with a focus on pediatric cancer. He was the father of Marlo Thomas, Terre Thomas, and Tony Thomas.

One of 10 children, Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz (Arabic: أموس مزيد يعقوب كيروز) was born on January 6, 1912, in Deerfield, Michigan, to Charles Yaqoob Kairouz (Arabic: تشارلز يعقوب كيروز) and his wife Margaret Taouk (Arabic: مارغريت طوق كيروز). His parents were Maronite Catholic immigrants from what is now Bsharri, North Governorate, Lebanon.
Thomas was raised in Toledo, Ohio, attending St. Francis de Sales Church and Woodward High School.
Bishop Samuel Stritch of Toledo performed Thomas’ confirmation in the Catholic Church in 1921. Stritch…