Jilly Rizzo
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Ermenigildo Rizzo, nicknamed "Jilly" (May 6, 1917-May 6, 1992), was a restauranteur and entertainer. A long time friend of Frank Sinatra, Rizzo made cameo appearances in several of his films. He was also a frequent guest on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, where he would recite one liners in his monotone New York accent. Rizzo was killed in a drunk driving accident on his 75th birthday. During the 1970s his night-club was torn down and replaced with Dean Martin's restaurant, Dino's.
[edit] Trivia
Frank Sinatra mentions Jilly in a number of his recordings:
- Jilly's Restaurant is mentioned twice in his and Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "Me and My Shadow".
- At the beginning of the album Sinatra at the Sands, Frank jokingly welcomes his Las Vegas audience to "Jilly's West."
- In his cover version of "Mrs. Robinson", he changes the name "Jesus" to "Jilly."
- Actor/comedian Brad Garrett told some funny stories about being Frank Sinatra's opening act, and how Jilly temporarily fired him for allegedly making a bad joke about Frank. Jilly allegedly sent him, as punishment, to open for Liza Minneli.