Bobby Darin • This Is Your Life (1959) part 1 of 3

12-2-59
Bobby Darin as the subject of Ralph Edwards' "This Is Your Life"
friends, family and peers (Murray the K, George Burns, Sammy Davis, Jr., Charlie and Nina Maffia, Dick Lord, Don Kirshner, and Dick Behrke) drop in one to honor Bobby and his success.

[@raven4043]

I feel bad for his sister, knowing he was her son and she couldn’t tell him but you can see the pride and love she had for him. He was such a handsome guy and so charming and funny. I always say I was born in the wrong era, I wish I was born in the 40s. I was born 35 years too late. 😄 RIP Bobby. ❤️

[@kathyrizzi8754]

Wow, I was only 10 at this time, but I remember him singing…Mack The Knife! “

[@dorothycastaneda8760]

I love Bobby Darin..I hope his Spirit is Happy 🕊❤

[@LrkyouTube]

Always smiling and peaceful, even though he knew his life could end early. Love him gladly

[@josephhaynes3017]

Bobby. What a master of masters. . He could sing anything and make it his own .

[@hopeoswald3448]

So gifted sad he is not with us. But he will lived forever in our hearts

[@Farrah300]

He packed a lot of life in his short 37 years. Rest In Peace.

[@StudMacher96]

And he did it all just by believing and practicing

[@deanm375]

If you have read Dodd Darin's book about his parents you know that Bobby's sister Nina is actually his mother. Bobby didn't learn the truth until the late 60's. Knowing it now the look Nina is giving is the look of a proud mother.

[@ironduke2000]

Jack Nicholson also came to learn that his "sister" was in fact his mother. I believe he was told by a reporter who was preparing a cover story about him for Time magazine. Anyway he was understandably shattered.

[@wynnssecret8882]

@@ironduke2000 ......Eric Clapton also grew up thinking his Mom was his sister

[@christienelson1437]

It would have been difficult to watch this over and over again knowing the truth later for Bobby. I am glad that today’s technology didn’t exist then. I know his family loved him and was trying to protect him.❤️♥️💕🙏♥️💕🙏

[@jessiem276]

@@christienelson1437 How were they protecting him? He should have known who his mother was.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

@@jessiem276 We are talking about the 1930s, correct? The social scandal and isolation from the community would have been horrific. Also likely isolation from their church. She would have probably been asked to leave school at age 13 or 14, or sent to a school for "wayward" girls. This was a family that was already struggling with a widow trying to be head of household, dealing with grief, dealing with her disability. If her daughter becomes a neighborhood scandal, how does she finish school? What jobs are available to a young woman who becomes known as the scandalous girl of the neighborhood? Just food for thought, an indicator of how far we have come although we still have far to go, and determination that we must never allow anyone to roll back rights that others suffered to obtain.

[@marylawson6060]

Was a teenager when this show was on the air. Bobby was a great talent with many gifts and wish he could have stayed with us longer. Only 37 years old. Sad. RIP

[@georgebarilone7952]

bobby daren,or walden robert cassotto, his real name,was such a great talent,had a hard time getting started,but so did a lot of great singers.I sing some of his songs,at shows,and i always loved sandra dee,they were great while it lasted.I THINK BOBBY VINTON,WAS OF THE SAME CALIBER OFBOBBY DAREN.both born around the same time.I AM 81,AND LOVE THE MUSIC FROM THE 50'S AND 60'S.still singing with my son,love it .old singers just fade away.R.I.P.BOBBY,YOU WERE SPECIAL.

[@Skyhors3]

Charles, Bobby's brother-in-law, gave my friend and I a ride as we were hitchhiking. He told us who he was but we didn't believe him. Then, less than a week later, this show came on TV.

[@MJLeger-yj1ww]

Bobby could act brash at times, but he certainly didn't here. He seemed very humbled that Ralph was doing his life, and we're glad Ralph did, because Bobby left us way too early. Supreme talent, he was. RIP, Bobby.

[@hopeoswald3448]

He had a great personality. Snd he can dance also

[@hughhaefner3317]

Love the comments here ranging from now and ten years ago. Bobby Darin was the bomb!

[@lindagrenz7900]

So talented loved his music and his beautiful wife Sandra Dee!❤️

[@laurastone6578]

Wow....you can tell this was a complete surprise for Bobby!

[@survivingsicklecell1732]

Bobby was so sweet handsome man such great talent we lost rip mr Darin

[@Kate1Chopin]

Beautiful, talented Bobby. I love him!

[@deborah3112]

Knowing now that Nina was his mother...I'm in tears,you can feel her Love !!!

[@shirleydabrowski6955]

Great Songs, My Mom Adored Him♥️🎶 Good Music To Listen Too❣️❣️❣️

[@debmarineau1923]

Long ago....some things just weren't just shared....not as today....I respect that...and think we need more of it today....:)

[@Farrah300]

That is true. I wish Nina and her mother hadn't hatched this plan of deception, but I don't blame her for doing it. Teenage pregnancy wasn't something that was talked about in those days.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Honesty is always the best way to go. So thankful we don't engage in these charades anymore. Children always know when they are being lied to, even if they don't know exactly what the lie is.

[@christinanielsen1917]

Best and healthier to come out in the open. Being raped by family members wasn't also shared which caused this to continue and continue

[@patmays4205]

ALways loved Bobbie Darin and his music. HE was also an Awsome entertainer!

[@JL0ndon]

It's crazy to see this knowing what we do now about Nina- she was so proud and couldn't tell anyone :( so sad how it almost destroyed poor Bobby.

[@harrodsfan]

Had a good chuckle when he said at the beginning :- I don't know what to say ? And I usually have a lot to say! Lol

[@eddancer1381]

Ralph Edwards Thanks for the memories RIP Ralph Edwards Ed

[@lanniewong5774]

Golden voice......Love listening classic songs..😊😊

[@Farrah300]

I forgot about "Dream Lover". That song is awesome!!!

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

It reappeared in the movie with Kristy McNichol.

[@75smurfette]

Geez, how thoughtful to surprise someone on national TV and expose all the unpleasant aspects of their life to the public. And it's so weird watching Nina play along with the "sister" charade without batting an eye.

[@gabinadina]

I Read a book about him. So sad, he knew he was living on borrowed time. Then he finds out his sister is really his mother. Then he dies. Bobby really got dealt a rotten hand.

[@Farrah300]

I have heard this, and it is so sad.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

OMG his sister was his mother? I had a middle school student whose "mom" told me something similar, then asked me to keep the secret. Of course I did, but never felt good about it and really wished that this grandmother had not dragged me into her lie. The young man was/is very intelligent but constantly in trouble. I feel he knew that he was being lied to, but just couldn't figure who or what or why. I do understand that the grandmother was trying to protect her family from social scandal and isolation that would have had some consequences in the 1970s, but ... Truth is usually the way to go.

[@gwenniegirl50]

What made it even more hurtful was the way Bobby found out about his sister really being his mother. It was after Bobby got involved with Bobby Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. He toyed with the idea of entering politics himself. At that time “sister” Nina approached Bobby with the actual circumstances of his parentage. She said she didn’t want it to be discovered if there were background checks, snooping, etc if he got into the political area. He was totally blindsided.

[@Farrah300]

"If I Were A Carpenter" was a favorite song of mine by Bobby Darin. I also love "Beyond The Sea". Here's a song I like that's kind of silly. "Plain Jane."

[@kayjay111111]

I can't even with this knowing the truth! Man, oh, man... how hard this must have been for Nina to do. The pride she has for him in that interview is heartbreaking. I wish they had a relationship after he found out. They were on such borrowed time. And, I've always been amazed at all he accomplished knowing his health risk.

[@sheriebuchanan5349]

Made me cry!

[@nefertittihammond5945]

His sister being his mom made me remember seeing a biography about Jack Nicholson same situation.

[@depaola63]

TRAGIC life ! I love Bobby D!

[@jot4433]

Love Darin

[@suzannemoiraregis]

But look what a winning hand he turned it into; he was one of the greatest entertainers ever born as well as a bright and fundamentally decent human being. Not perfect, but neither is anyone else. Be glad we had Walden Robert Cassotto [if memory serves, always a hit or miss prospect] for as long as we did. I hope he's doing shows in Heaven and Purgatory [the safety school of the afterlife]--

[@christinanielsen1917]

No such thing as purgatory. Totally an invention made up by the Roman Catholic Church to bring in money to " get their loved ones out of and into heaven". $$$$$$$$$

[@sylviaroberts8103]

@@christinanielsen1917 YES. Well said.

[@kittyrichardson68]

I always love to hear him sign.

[@eddancer1381]

Years ago I saw Bobby Darin on American Band Stand TV with Dick Clark Ed

[@janeiwasduncan8463]

In those Bandstand days we all "swooned" over Bobby!!

[@Eppiphane]

holy shit, this is amazing thanks for posting!!

[@mrslindydee]

I actually thought he had a better voice than. Fran Sinatra.!

[@annemccarron2281]

I did too, without a doubt!

[@butterball1651]

I did too!

[@crisguia]

I hope that's true. I just felt bad for him about his mother. So sad.

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

He looks just like Nina.

[@catherinecarella2928]

His 'sister' is his Mother! Lies are destructive. What a shock when he found out. What betrayal.

[@tommieluster.2375]

I wish they’d bring the show back

[@cdream5414]

His "sister" was actually his mother who revealed the truth to him later in his life and caused poor Bobbie's deep depression for years until his death.

[@hategreed1]

That wasn't the only cause of depression for Bobby (who, to his credit, never let it interfere with what he gave to his audiences). He was deeply affected by the murders of JFK and especially RFK, who he knew. That was when America ended, for a lot of us.

[@harrodsfan]

On looking at Nina I thought she looks older than a younger sister. Now I read this comment what is the story behind it ?

[@Farrah300]

That was very sad. The deception was to say the least, elaborate. How Nina was able to keep this up is beyond me. I feel bad for her as well.

[@lisalu910]

I don't quite understand the depression at finding out Nina was his mother and his "mother" was his grandmother. I get that it would have been a shock, but it didn't change that they both loved him very much. His mother and grandmother raised him together, and he didn't miss anything except knowing who his real father was. But he had never known a father anyway, so that wasn't really a huge loss. So again, I'm not quite sure I understand.

[@jessiem276]

@@lisalu910 You must be kidding! I would hate finding out one of my sisters was really my mother. It would have done a number on me ...and I would have been mad. Looks like you would understand.

[@glasshalffull8471]

Turns out his sister was his mother, he was a great talent and gone too soon.

[@MosaicRose99]

Would love it if someone could find and download This is Your Life Connie Francis. Bobby Darin fans can see him on that show too. Connie has admitted that she never got over Bobby and I'd love to seem them together on that episode. :)

[@harrodsfan]

Did they go out with each other ?

[@hopeoswald3448]

Cover the sun with one finger

[@francisalanwormald6328]

AT 83 I wonder how far we we have fallen from just a hint of real life...

[@TerryUniGeezerPeterson]

Hard to believe Bobby's only 22 here! He looks much older.

[@Lauren1988]

Amen, those older stars always look older. ,,, then we do now! Love this man!!!! He’s my favorite artist before frank Sinatra! It’s those dimples!

[@char7488]

I agree! Always seemed very mature for their age!

[@babyblue6743]

He looks early 30’s

[@abhisheksinghshekhu]

2023

[@sbsavabintang2365]

Classic music

[@MosaicRose99]

The look on Nina's face as she looks at Bobby at 4:43 speaks volumes.....

[@tanjakivimaki9222]

so true

[@cdream5414]

SoothingChime15, she wasn't his sister, nina was his mother. all his life she had lied to him she was his sister.

[@philipalberto3227]

Paul revere and the raiders

[@StarlightWorkshop0z]

Cyrus Dee and she never told him who his real dad was. tough

[@sanfor43]

cuando Bobby se enteró de que su verdadera madre era su hermana. Fue un duro golpe. Nunca espero eso.

[@ncfeline1959]

Nina, his real Mother. A secret kept from Bobby for years

[@susannec659]

Is that what this is your life was like? Pretty brutal. It's a wonder people didn't go running off the stage. Of course they weren't truly surprised I hope. I'd love to see that brought back on TV new version. Can you imagine?

[@jazznut50]

You don't know what you're talking about. He did an unbelievably good job.

[@jasonlindsey9946]

When he found out that his sister was his mother that destroyed him.

[@robertbrosch8853]

What is sorely need here on You Tube is This Is Your Life - Chester Gould broadcast date apprx. Jan. 1958.

[@DavisNetPromos5550]

I just didn't like when Roger Ebert said Kevin Spacey sounded better than Bobby Darin. He was so under-rated and yet pound for pound he was one of the most versatile entertainer who ever lived. (Along with Sammy Davis Jr Danny Gans and Pete Peterkin)

[@acexprt]

in all fairness at this point bobby didnt even know his sister was his mother. Bobby didnt find out until he was 32. 5 years before his death.

[@hategreed1]

Yes, his "sister" is certainly not acting like his sister. She's acting every bit the proud, adoring, loving mother. It must've seemed strange to people watching, why a sister would be hanging on to him like that. Bobby didn't yet know the truth here.

[@christienelson1437]

At that time it wasn’t unusual for older siblings to take over the parenting role. The whole family wold have been ostracized by everyone if they knew and even their jobs could have been lost. She never said who his real father was, maybe it wasn’t consensual.💕🎇🎆

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

He died in 1971 in Las Vegas.

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

As in ATCO 33-102,101 was the Coasters.

[@martadoso9]

"NICE"...

[@pawa303]

He's only 23 here!!!

[@hopeoswald3448]

Are we all ? We all knorw we can die any day

[@Farrah300]

And to think that a year after this show, he marries Sandra Dee

[@deidreperryman172]

Had no idea his sister was actually his mom. I guess being interested in politics as he was maybe that secret had to come out before, if Bobby had ran for office. Someone would have found out maybe used that information in a bad light.. How devastating that must've a been for him. I can't imagine knowing your not going to live long life and then deciding to accomplish as much as he did. Thanks for aharing

[@MyMy-zi7yv]

So the great did have a little acting background. Because there are some individuals and Darin is one of them who are off the fucking charts natural in acting and he is just that. Had he chose to be a character, maybe not the main star type actor I can easily see best supporting actor awards for this man. He was so talented, anything in entertainment this man could do. And now I know why, he was simply born smart. He's one of the few Democrats I respect, sorry, I just had to throw that political stuff in! But I love this guy!

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

Bobby had nothing to do with Nina after she told him the truth in 1968 when he had talked about embarking on a political career. His son Dodd, as I recall from his book, believed that NIna's husband was actually Bobby's real dad. I don't doubt this at all, for he resembled both him and Nina. There is no justification for lying, but this kind of deception was not unheard of during the time he was a young child.

[@izvidz7078]

I've read the book (its a good one). I believe Dodd says Charlie Maffia used to say to everyone he was Bobby's father but its unlikely as it sounds like he only started going out with Nina just after Bobby's birth. Not impossible but unlikely. Also why hide the birth like they did (they moved when Nina couldn't hide her pregnancy any longer) if the father was around and willing as Charlie would have been. However Dodd also says that in every other respect (working damn hard and caring for the sick child) he WAS his Dad.

[@raptureready5004]

That was do wrong. Oh my gosh his mom, Nina, still brought him into this world, and did the best she could. The family probably decided this way. At least he wasn't adopted out...or the other thing. Anger like that would only fuel his illness.

[@raptureready5004]

There's Nina his real mom Oh wow. Sad isn't it?

[@raptureready5004]

The interviewer said a 14 year old sister....wow.

[@raptureready5004]

@@izvidz7078 they look too much alike, that's his real dad...

[@user-ki1un4jg2d]

Where is Connie in this video ?

[@Farrah300]

Looking at this video again as I have many times, I do indeed wonder if Nina's husband was Bobby's biological father. He does resemble bobby a little bit..

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

Darin was. Taken from a takeaway Mandarin food store the Man had burned out leaving only Darin Voila there it was.

[@Johnk662561]

What you are calling "private" was common knowledge at the time, particularly regarding his heart issues that came about as a result of his contracting Rheumatic Fever at the age of 7. Also, despite the "surprise" aspect of the show, all parties involved had to consent to appear and to the topics covered. So, all that "private" stuff was never really all that "private".

[@bluejay02920]

his sister is really his mother

[@Dreamskater100]

Not seen all of this yet, but does Sandra Dee make an appearance?

[@izvidz7078]

He didn't meet her until 1960 and this is 1959 so nope

[@generiquescartoons]

42 !!!!!!!!!

[@Lucillee688]

Nina made a statement about her mother. She said ‘her’ mother she didn’t say ‘our’ mother.

[@castalia60able]

@bluejay02920 - It must have been devastating to learn when he was older.

[@goldylocks3904]

It is said that Nina, who is Bobby's real Mother, never revealed to her son who his Father was. I think that Bobby looks exactly like Nina's husband (who at the time of this film Bobby thought was his brother in law, but later found out was his stepfather) Just look at their hairlines, the noses, the creases in the face, and bottom lips, I would put money on that being Bobby's real father. Perhaps Nina didn''t want Bobby to know it was him in case he got angry for getting his Mother pregnant as such an early age?

[@lorismorici9920]

Hi, are you related to Charles Maffia in someway, you have the same last name? And Bobby's bio says he was born in the Bronx, but the address you give is Harlem, New York...so which one is true? Thanks.

[@kathleenturner1522]

This is your life! He's only 23 yrs. Old!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I didn't know that Nina was his birth mother!!! So is the brother in law his father? Or maybe we don't know?

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

He followed his mom.

[@johnsain]

That's not Bobby's sister...It's his mother,...he'd find out years later. 4:00

[@BarbieLover52]

He found out late that his sister was really his Mother

[@TerryComo2010]

Before you make assumptions, It is quite possible that Ralph Edwards knew nothing of the truth. These shows were clean, decent and profiled talented artists and hero's. That's more than you can say about what passes as talent these days!

[@zio63paperone49]

I agree.

[@Farrah300]

Absolutely, I don't think Nina told the truth here. I'm not going to be too hard on her as when she was pregnant, it was at a time when teenage pregnancy was not something to be proud of to say the least. I will however say that I wish there was a better way that Nina and her mother could have handled this situation so that Bobby wouldn't have been hurt so deeply.

[@yami3007]

@bluejay02920 wow i did not know that...

[@jazznut50]

How do you know whether he forgave her or he didn't. That's some stretch to say that unless YOU are one of the two people involved.

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

Grease is based on Sandra

[@dawnstoehrer8107]

Everyone thinks as I did before I read the facts Bobby I thought why are they telling him at 32. WELLI LOOKED THAT UP THEY TOLD HIM AS HE WAS CAMPAIGNING FIR RFK WENT EVERYWHERE WITH HIM SANG HIM HIS FAVORITE SONG “BLOWING IN THE WIND”BOBBY WAS AT THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL THE NIGHT RFK WAS ASSASSINSTED AND THATS WHEN BOBBY DROPPED OUT OF THE BUSINESS AND WAS SO SHOOK UP HE TOOK A TRAILER UP TO BIG SUR N CALAFORNIA. AS HE WAS THINKING OF GETTING INTO POLITICS THEY SAID BEFORE THE PRESS GOT THIS NEWS TO HIM AS THERE IN YOUR BACK POCKET THEY BETTER LET HIM KNOW AS I THOUGHT OMG LEAVE THINGS BE HE HAS A BAD HEART ETC :BUT THAT WAS THE REASON THE FAMILY WANTED TO TELL HIM INSTEAD OF THE MEDIA AS THERE RUTHLESS WHEN YOUR RUNNING GOR POLITICAL OFFICE BOBBY WAS A STRICT DEMOCRATIC AND STRICTLY ALL GOR OEACE AS RFK WAS THEY WERE FRIENDS VERY VLOSE FRIENDS HE FLEW WITH HIM EVERYWHERE AND SLWAYS PLAYED HIS FAVORITE SONG SO THE FAMILY DECIDED BETTER THEY TELL BOBBY THAN THE MEDIA RUNNING WITH IT THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM QUICKER. LIKE EVERYONE I THOUGH JEEZ AT 32THEY TELL HIM THAT WAS THE REASON ITS WRITTEN FOWN ON THE DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS MADE AFTER RFK WAS KILLED DODD SAID IT SHATTERED HIS FATHER AS HE LOVE RFK AND WAS CLOSER TO RFK THAN SOME OF RFKS PEOPLE DODD SAID HE WAS NEVER THE SAME HE WAS IN THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL THAT HORRIBLE DAY

[@Janster59]

Nina was his mother

[@meterr]

His resembles his " brother in law"

[@dianagruver5767]

Right?! That HAD to be his father!

[@char7488]

He was not his father..there is a 65 year old man out there named Sam Tellerico who thru DNA has proven he is the illegitimate son of Bobby. Wrote a book entitled "Who Did You Say Your Father Was". He just recently penned a book entitled, "Who Did You Say Your Grandfather Was". Title says it all. Has met up with Bobby's immediate relatives on the paternal side of the family and has old and new pics to prove it. Took him several years of research. Apparently, his real father, as a very young man, was put in a mental institution, which back in those days mental health was not dealt with properly, and carried a stigma.. Hence, that may have been one of the reasons Nina didnt want him to know who he was. It's a.great read for Bobby Darin fans, for sure!

[@billholzman1912]

His sister is his mother. Talk about being lied to. He should have disowned his Mother. And you wonder why people are screwed up. Bobby was a great guy.

[@TheLionessjudah]

A very heartless comment...The times they lived in were filled with people who looked down on women giving birth out of wedlock....The pain in her face on this show reveals her conflict.....You must have been a spoiled brat growing up and critical people like yourself are the reason people go to such lengths to avoid having people like you look down on them..You and the 9 who liked your callousness show the depth of your depravity..

[@Warrogue1]

@@TheLionessjudah Some people are ignorant of the social stigma of being an unwed mother in past era. Jack Nicholson, born in 1937 ,also grew up believing his mother was his sister.

[@TheLionessjudah]

@@Warrogue1 I am sure his mother wanted to protect her son from outside ridicule.. as was the case with the other example of a celebrity you mentioned...

[@Warrogue1]

@@TheLionessjudah When I was in high school in the late '60s, it was still deeply shameful to be pregnant while unmarried. Girls who got pregnant were immediately whisked off "to stay with an aunt," which was actually a home for unwed mothers. The babies ware placed for adoption. The movie Philomena showed how babies were brutally torn away from their teenaged mothers and placed for adoption. Philomena's baby was taken from her in 1951.

[@jessieubi3950]

@@TheLionessjudah Social stigma is no excuse to lie in such a big way. If she really cared she should've given Bobby up for adoption.

[@sherrymiller2302]

Turns out, Nina was his MOTHER, not his sister.....

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

He started ATCO.

[@Farrah300]

This is in no way meant to be funny, but I have a thought. The story of Bobby Darin and his sister, who was actually his mother truly sounds like it could have been a storyline from a soap opera. That is truly sad.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

Nobody knew ANYTHING about Nina/Bobby until many years later, after he died in 1973, so don't hang this on Ralph Edwards, please. And this show was really good, an oral history of sorts, about famous and non-famous people. People criticizing should keep their mouths shut since it's obvious they don't know what they are talking about.

[@Farrah300]

I was thinking the same thing. I believe that as far as Ralph Edwards knew, what he recounted was the complete truth. He had no knowledge of Nina being Bobby's birth mother.

[@pattidaly3567]

That wasn't his sister it was his biological mother!!!