Tony Bennett
Bennett in 2011, Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Anthony Dominick Benedetto
Place of Birth: Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: August 3, 1926
Ethnicity: Italian
Tony Bennett is an American singer of traditional pop standards, show tunes, and jazz, as well as a painter. His mother, Anna Maria (Suraci), was born in New York, to Italian parents from Calabria, and his father, Giovanni/John Benedetto, was Italian, from Reggio Calabria. His parents were both from poor farming families.
Tony is married to schoolteacher Susan Crow. He has two children with his former wife Patricia Beech, and two children with his former wife, actress Sandra Grant.
Tony’s paternal grandfather was named Giovanni Battista Benedetto. Giovanni was from Podargoni, above Reggio Calabria.
Tony’s paternal grandmother was named Maria Suraci (the daughter of Domenico Suraci). Domenico was the son of Giuseppe Suraci and Antonia Melana.
Tony’s maternal grandfather was Antonio Suraci (the son of Francesco Suraci and Maria Catalano). Antonio was born in Podargoni, Province of Reggio Calabria, Calabria. Francesco was the son of Domenico Suraci.
Tony’s maternal grandmother was Vincenza Suraci (the daughter of Domenico Suraci and Anna Sinicropi). Vincenza was born in Podargoni. Domenico was the son of Giuseppe Suraci and Antonia Melana. Anna was the daughter of Antonino Sinicropi and Antonia Morabito.
Source: Genealogy of Tony Bennett – https://www.geni.com
I figured he was Italian and just shortened his name to try for a different public image.
David Evanier – All the Things You Are: The Life of Tony Bennett (2011):
“Tony Bennett’s paternal grandfather, Giovanni Benedetto, grew up in the village of Podargoni, above Reggio Calabria. The family were poor farmers, producing figs, olive oil, and wine grapes. His mother’s family, the Suracis, also farmed in Calabria. Neither side of the family could read or write”
b rated frank sinatra wannabe
frank, dean, = legends
tony = not so much