Memory Lane “Life is a ’s daughter opens up great big canvas. “He loved to give,” raves Dena of her dad. “He Throw all was incredibly sensitive and the paint responsive to an audience.” you can I Miss His Smile at it.” The legendary comedian and humanitarian was as beloved at home as he was around the globe

anny Kaye was a man of many Danny got his big break in the 1941 Broadway talents — actor, comedian, play , wowing audiences with his dancer, singer, humanitarian. quick-tongued banter. Hollywood took notice and Add devoted dad to that list. As the rubber-faced, nimble-bodied talent starred in fans and friends celebrate the classics like and White 105th anniversary of his birth, Christmas. On TV, won ac- Dhis daughter, Dena, remembers a caring father claim in the . “It was the gold standard of va- who always put family first. “I miss the smile on riety shows,” Paley Center for Media curator Ron his face when he would see me,” she tells Closer. Simon tells Closer of the series, which was released “I miss his company, his friendship, his support. on DVD in late 2014. I miss his scrambled eggs with onions and green But Dena says her dad was never comfortable peppers he used to make for breakfast!” with the spotlight shining directly on him: “One of No Daddy Dearest, Danny was the antithe- my father’s greatest gifts is that he never tried to sis of the narcissistic celebrity parent. “He was as steal the stage from the guest stars,” who included down-to-earth as you could get,” says Dena, 69, his Nat King Cole, and , Sylvia was the only child. In fact, Danny remained happily mar- among many others. true love of ried to wife and collaborator for nearly That unselfishness carried on to his chari- Danny’s life, 50 years, and they lived at the same home in Bev- ty work. In 1954, he became UNICEF’s first says Dena (with erly Hills from 1947 until Dena sold it in 1991, four , drawing attention her parents years after Danny’s death from heart failure. “We to impoverished children around the in 1949). had a normal household,” she recalls fondly. “We world. It was work he loved deeply. “He watched TV and ate on tray tables. My parents had an ability to communicate with came to my school plays.” kids, bar none,” says Dena. “He spoke The only parenting duty Danny shunned was their language — hugs, shrugs, rolling helping with homework. “He was a high school on the floor, rubbing noses. He truly be- dropout, and he thought there was as much to learn lieved if you could help a child and give Dena (in 2013) became in life as there was in school,” Dena explains of the them a healthier life, the world would be a a journalist for TV and man born David Daniel Kaminsky to Ukrainian better place.” — Jonny Small, such magazines as Travel + Leisure. clockwise from main: getty (2); everett (2); getty; everett; corbis; rex Jewish immigrants in , N.Y. with reporting by Katie Bruno

His career through the years The Secret The Court the danny Life of Jester kaye show Walter Danny Guests on Mitty suited up his 1963–67 Danny played with Angela variety show the titular White Christmas Lansbury included dreamer in He joined Vera-Ellen, and Glynis the 1947 hit, Johns in (left) and Skokie later remade and in the hit 1955 Mary Tyler Danny was especially proud of by Ben Stiller. the 1954 musical. comedy. Moore. his role as a Nazi death camp 20 February 8, 2016 Closer survivor in the 1981 TV movie.