Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin
Walden Robert Cassotto
Walden Robert Cassotto, “Bobby Darin”, was born in the East Harlem neighborhood in New York City. He was raised by his grandmother, who he thought for much of his life was his mother. His birth mother became pregnant with him in the summer of 1935 when she was 17. Because of the scandalous nature of out-of-wedlock pregnancies in that era, a decision was made that the boy would be passed off as his mother’s younger brother. The identity of Bobby’s biological father is still unknown to this day.
By the time Bobby was a teenager, he was able to play many instruments including the piano, drums, and the guitar. He eventually moved to the Bronx and graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. He later attributed his arrogance to his experiences there, where he was surrounded by brighter students who teased him.
After graduating high school, he enrolled College and soon gravitated to the drama department. After only two semesters, he dropped out to pursue an acting career.