Origins & Early Life

Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (June 14, 1909 – April 14, 1995) was an American singer and actor with a career that spanned more than six decades. Ives began his career as an itinerant singer and guitarist, eventually launching his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, which popularized traditional folk songs. In 1942, he appeared in Irving Berlin's This Is the Army and became a major star of CBS Radio. In the 1960s, Ives successfully crossed over into country music, recording hits such as "A Little Bitty Tear" and "Funny Way of Laughin'".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was also a popular film actor through the late 1940s and '50s. Ives's film roles included parts in So Dear to My Heart (1948) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), as well as the role of Rufus Hannassey in The Big Country (1958), for which Ives won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the film noir Day of the Outlaw (1959). Ives is often associated with the Christmas season. He did voice-over work as Sam the Snowman, narrator of the classic 1964 Christmas television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Ives also worked on the special's soundtrack, including the songs "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", both of which...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert R. Broccoli — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.
• Barry Goldwater — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Conservative Senator and Presidential Nominee who championed modern American conservatism.
• Charles H. Bonesteel III — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): American General who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; commanded US Forces Korea.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alexander Knox — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• Brent Faiyaz — Contemporary (Born in 1995) (1995): American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer known for 'sly vocals' and atmospheric sound.
• Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher) — Shared historical date (06-14 · Born) (1848): Influential English philosopher and political theorist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Charles-Augustin de Coulomb — Shared historical date (06-14 · Born) (1736): Pioneering physicist known for Coulomb's Law of Electrostatics and work on friction.
• Ali Akbar Khan — Shared historical date (04-14 · Born) (1922): Master sarod virtuoso who popularized Hindustani classical music in the West.
• Anthony Newley — Shared historical date (04-14 · Died) (1999): Versatile English performer, celebrated for his songwriting and stage presence.
• 1909 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1909
• June 14 (06-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 14
• 1995 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1995
• April 14 (04-14) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 14