- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJohn Senator Marvin
- Johnny Marvin was born on July 11, 1897 in Butler, Indian Territory, USA [now Oklahoma, USA]. He was an actor, known for Under Western Stars (1938), Sing, Neighbor, Sing (1944) and Barnyard Follies (1940). He was married to Gloria Marvin. He died on December 20, 1944 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- SpouseGloria Marvin (his death)
- In the 1920s, he was one of the most celebrated ukulele performers and crooners of the era. Billing himself as "Honey Duke and His Uke" then as "Johnny Marvin, the Ukulele Ace" his recorded output was prodigious. Among his many hits from the 1920s: "Oh How She Could Play the Ukulele," "Red Lips, Kiss My Blues Away," "If You See Sally," "There's Something Nice About Everyone (But There's Everything Nice About You)" and many others. He even had a brand of ukulele named for him, which sported his face on the headstock and was noted for its unique airplane-shaped bridge. As the ukulele craze of the 20s faded, Marvin retired. When the stock market crashed, however, he lost his savings and came out of retirement, reinventing himself as a cowboy songwriting partner to Gene Autry, providing him with a second equally noteworthy career that lasted until his death.
- Inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame in 2003.
- Brother of Frankie Marvin (Frank James Marvin),(1904-1985).
- His death was contributed to the contraction of malaria while traveling overseas to entertain the troops during WWII which he refused medical treatment for due to his Christian Science beliefs.
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