Burl Ives, an American icon as one of the giants of the entertainment world, was born in Hunt, Illinois. He sang folk songs from an early age, many of which he learned from his pipe-smoking, tobacco-chewing grandmother. In 1930, Ives dropped out of college and traveled across the country learning folk songs from cowboys, evangelists, hoboes, and miners.
His acting credits include his roll as "Big Daddy" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway. Millions remember Ives from the 1962 television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which still airs every Christmas season.
His classic Holly Jolly Christmas was a huge hit with children.
Burl's Hollywood credits include an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance in The Big Country.
Mr. Ives died of cancer in 1995 at the ripe old age of 85.
