Danny Kaye was an American actor and comedian famous for his dancing, impersonations and improvisations. He was also a singer and a successful recording artist blessed with great dancing skills. As a comedian he was much loved for his physical comedy, eccentric pantomimes, and funny rapid-fire novelty songs. A highly versatile man, he was not just a popular performer, but also a jet pilot, Chinese chef, and a humanitarian. Born to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, he became interested in singing, dancing and performing at a young age. His mother died when he was in his early years and he soon ran away from home with a friend and started earning his livelihood by performing on the streets. He did not graduate from high school and worked in a series of jobs as a young man. He finally found his big break when he was selected by a vaudeville dance act that toured all over the United States and also went to Asia and the Far East. He soon built a reputation as a vaudeville singer and comedian and eventually entered films. After starring in a few low-budget movies he found success as a film actor in the 1940s and 1950s. He was also a humanitarian who devoted a lot of time to charitable causes and had served as ambassador at large for the United Nations Children's Fund in the 1950s