Actor-singer Steve Lawrence, one half of Steve and Eddie, dies at 88

Steve Lawrence, the Fifties and Sixties crooner, actor and comedian who formed the twins Steve and Aidy with his wife Aidy Gormey, has died aged 88.

Lawrence died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles of complications from Alzheimer's disease, a family spokesman said. Variety; Lawrence was forced to retire from touring in 2019 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

His son David Lawrence said in a statement, “My dad was an inspiration to so many. „But to me, he was this beautiful, handsome, crazy funny guy who sang a lot. Sometimes alone and sometimes with his incredibly talented wife. I'm so lucky to have him as a father and proud to be his son. His contribution to the entertainment industry will be years to come.” I hope to be remembered.

Born in New York City, Lawrence was hired as an 18-year-old singer by Steve Allen's late-night show in 1953. A year later, the project was renamed Tonight's show, with Allen as its first host. when it is there Tonight's showLawrence met fellow singer and actress Eydie Gormé, and the couple married in 1957.

After Alan left – the couple pursued a recording career together in addition to their television appearances Tonight's showBoth briefly started out on their own The Steve Lawrence and Eddie Gormey Show — Steve and Aidy released a string of singles in the late fifties and early sixties. Steve and Eddie also won a pair of Grammy Awards for Best Performance by a Vocal Duo or Group.

Although Lawrence and Gorme were married and performed together until Gorme's death in 2013, Lawrence enjoyed her own solo career, which included top 10 singles such as „Party Doll,” „Pretty Blue Eyes,” „Footsteps,” and „Go Away Little Girl.” It hit number one in 1962.

In the decades that followed, Lawrence was a fixture on the small screen, appearing on shows like The Carol Burnett Show, What's My Line, and more. And his own genre show. Lawrence appeared on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1964 for her role in the musical. What makes Sammy run?

On the big screen, Lawrence is best known for playing talent manager Maury Slaine in the 1980s. The Blues BrothersA role he would later reprise in 1998 Blues Brothers 2000. Lawrence was also a longtime friend of Frank Sinatra; Their friendship was betrayed in a girlfriend Saturday Night Live sketch, in which Mike Myers portrays Lawrence in Bill Hartman's Sinatra.