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Bing Crosby (1904)close

Born Harry Lillis Crosby in Tacoma, Washington, "Bing" began singing with a local group while a student at Gonzaga University. By 1925, Crosby went to Los Angeles and developed a singing act. When he became a solo star on the radio, he soon became a popular singing idol, and began to appear in movies. His relaxed "crooning" style was especially popular among Americans during the Depression years, and his comedic timing on stage made him a hit both as a singer and as a performer. He starred in more than 100 movies, and won an Oscar for his role as a priest in Going My Way. By 1943, he was among the top ten box office attractions for 12 years.

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