Born Muzyad Yakhoob on a farm near Deerfield, Michigan. His name was soon changed to Amos Jacobs. He claimed that he was born during a blizzard. When a doctor could not attend, he was delivered by a veterinarian. Married Rose Marie Cassaniti January 15, 1936. They had three children. He took the stage name Danny Thomas in 1940.

He appeared in the TV series "Make Room for Daddy" later called "The Danny Thomas Show" 1953 to 1964. He produced many successful television series with Sheldon Leonard and later Aaron Spelling. Thomas was the founder and contributor to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Congress honored Thomas with a gold medal by resolution in 1984. He was presented the gold medal by President Reagan April 16, 1985. Bronze copies of the medal (USM 680) were sold to the public.

He died at home in Beverly Hills, California.

bio: CBY 1959; WWA 90-91 obit: NYT 2/7/91