American actor, author, and singer (1909-1995). Born in Hunt City, Illinois. Career spanned folk music, country, pop standards, and acting — including a 1958 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in The Big Country. Best known to modern audiences as the voice of Sam the Snowman (and singer of the title song) in the 1964 stop-motion TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Released dozens of albums between the 1940s and 1980s. Best-known songs include "Big Rock Candy Mountain," "A Little Bitty Tear," "Funny Way of Laughin'" (1962 Grammy winner), "Holly Jolly Christmas," and "Silver and Gold." The latter two became Christmas standards.
