"Oh! Look at Me Now!" Of all of Frank Sinatra's timeless tunes, perhaps that song title best captures the singer's rise from his humble New Jersey roots to become one of the most celebrated American entertainers ever.
Sinatra burst onto the scene when most Italian-American entertainers changed their last names to broaden their appeal. Sinatra refused and, as ever, did it his way. He went from a high school dropout, shipyard worker and singing waiter to an iconic singer and movie star whose unparalleled career spanned seven decades.
Sinatra's 100th birthday would have been Saturday. He once sang: "I'm not the guy who cared about fortunes and such. I never cared much. Oh, look at me now!"
In this October 19, 1985 file photo, singer Frank Sinatra applauds next to first lady Nancy Reagan at the National Italian-American Foundation's 10th Anniversary Gala in Washington. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo, File)
In this 1954 file photo, Frank Sinatra sits with recording artist Jill Corey at the Harwyn Club in New York. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12,2015.
In this Oct. 19, 1985 file photo, singer Frank Sinatra applauds next to first lady Nancy Reagan at the National Italian-American Foundation's 10th Anniversary Gala in Washington. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015.
In this July 1980 file photo, Frank Sinatra, left, poses with Tony Bennett in Reno, Nev. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015.
In this December 12, 2007 file photo, Frank Sinatra's daughters Tina Sinatra, right, and Nancy, are shown at the unveiling of a 10-ft. image of the Frank Sinatra commemorative postal stamp during a ceremony commemorating Sinatra's 92nd birthday, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
In this June 19, 1984, file photo President Ronald Reagan and his Nancy Reagan address a White House State Dinner audience following the performance of singer Frank Sinatra, left. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart, FILE)
In this September 4, 1951, file photo, singer Frank Sinatra is seen with Ava Gardner in Las Vegas. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo, File)
In this January 20, 1960 file photo, Dean Martin, left, Peter Lawford, center, and Sammy Davis Jr., right, watch Frank Sinatra, right foreground, during rehearsal at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo)
In this May 22, 1978 file photo, Frank Sinatra, right, sings along with fellow "Rat Pack" members Dean Martin, left, and Sammy Davis Jr., at a fund-raising reunion in Santa Monica, Calif. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo/file)
Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow smiles fondly outside the Sands Hotel suite where they were married on July 19, 1966 in Las Vegas, Nev. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo)
This April 9, 1974 file photo shows Frank Sinatra performing at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, NY. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
