Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress and TV Star. One of the first women to ever host her own variety show, Dinah Shore was born on February 29, 1916, in Winchester, TN. Her first accomplishment was graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1938. Shore’s singing debut came when she sang on the AM station, WSM, in Nashville, TN. Soon after, she decided to go to New York City. Dinah Shore sang with Frank Sinatra on WNEW, an FM station out of New York City.
Eddie Cantor heard her on the station and with his help, Dinah Shore signed a contract with RCA Victor Records in 1940, while a regular on Cantor’s radio show, Time To Smile. Shore’s first ht was Yes, My Darling Daughter, in 1940, starting off her string of 80 hits from 1940 to 1957.
In 1943, Dinah Shore appeared in the film, Thank Your Lucky Stars, with Eddie Cantor. Shore credited him with teaching her comedic timing and guiding her through the ins and outs of show business. When World War II broke out, Shore participated in the USO tours in Europe, singing with such superstars as Glenn Miller.
After the war was over, Dinah Shore moved her family to Beverly Hills and began a television career. From 1951 to 1954, she hosted The Dinah Shore Show, one of the variety shows popular during that time period. In 1970, she hosted Dinah’s Place until 1974, at which time the show just became Dinah! It ran until 1980. The show was a precursor to the modern daytime talk show.
Dina Shore was an avid golfer and worked to promote the LPGA, Ladies Professional Golf Association. In 1991, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Dina Shore was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 1993 and passed away on February 24, 1994. She had two children. At her death, her net worth was estimated to by $30 million.
