Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Dean Martin, the "King of Cool," was never the same after losing his beloved son, Dean Paul, in a tragic jet crash. Author William Keck reveals the singer's final months and the profound sadness that consumed him.

Dean Martin, the epitome of cool and charisma, carried a profound sadness within him during his final years, haunted by the loss of his eldest son, Dean Paul. The tragic jet crash in 1987 shattered the singer's spirit, leaving an unfillable void in his heart.

"Dean Martin's final years were very, very sad after he lost his son," said author William Keck, who penned the memoir "When You Step Upon a Star." "It was like looking at a candle without a flame."

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Keck witnessed Martin's decline firsthand, reporting on his life during those years. He recalled the singer's solitary existence, dining alone at the same restaurant every evening, wearing the same outfit, and ordering the same dish, clams casino.

"He would eat by himself, always wearing the same outfit," recalled Keck. "It was navy pants and a light blue shirt. He would order the same dish — clams casino. He would just let the clam juice drip down his shirt. At a nearby table would be his ex-wife Jeanne… It was very strange to observe. It was like seeing a wax figure that was barely moving around."

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Martin's friends and colleagues spoke of a man broken by grief. According to Dean Paul's former roommate, Desi Arnaz Jr., Martin lost all interest in life after his son's death.

"He just gave up," Arnaz Jr. said. "He didn't want to live anymore."

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Dean Paul, nicknamed "Dino Jr.," was a multitalented individual who excelled in tennis, music, and acting. He eventually followed in his father's footsteps and became a pilot with the Air National Guard.

On March 21, 1987, Dean Paul was flying a routine exercise when the jet crashed into the side of a mountain near the San Bernadino Mountain range. He was 35 years old.

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

The loss devastated Martin, who had always been extraordinarily close to his son.

"Capt. Dean Paul Martin and Capt. Ramon Ortiz perished instantly at the time of impact,'' Sgt. Carolyn Hamilton, an Air National Guard spokeswoman, said at the time.

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Martin's friends and family witnessed the profound impact of his son's death on his spirit.

"After that event in his life, things really changed," said singer Paul Anka. "He said to me, ‘I’m just waiting to die. Just waiting to die.’"

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Martin himself hinted at his desire to be reunited with his son in the afterlife.

"I'm not afraid of dying," he said in an interview. "I'll be glad to see my boy again."

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Martin passed away on Christmas Day 1995, at the age of 78. His funeral was a private VIP service attended by numerous celebrities, who paid their final respects to the "King of Cool" with bittersweet memories.

"It was completely surreal," Keck admitted. "In the end, it was a friend paying tribute to him."

Dean Martin: A Life Haunted by Loss

Dean Martin's legacy as an entertainer remains untarnished. However, his final years were overshadowed by the profound grief he carried, a testament to the unbreakable bond between a father and his son.