Rare Photos of the Rat Pack That'll Take You Back in Time
The original group didn't include Sammy Davis Jr. or Dean Martin.
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It doesn't get more iconic than the Rat Pack—a.k.a. a group of performers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford. Their Old Hollywood charm, scandalous behavior, and partying lifestyle made them the "bad boys" of the late '50s and '60s. With their good looks and plenty of talent to go around, they sold out Las Vegas crowds on a nightly basis. They also took their acting chops to the big screen, sharing credits on a handful of movies together. For an inside look at the Rat Pack and the true stories behind the group, keep reading.
The Original Rat Pack
It was actress Lauren Bacall who coined the group's moniker after seeing her then-husband, Humphrey Bogart, on a drunken night out in Las Vegas with pals, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, David Niven, Angie Dickinson, talent agent Swifty Lazar, and restaurateur Mike Romanoff.
The Pack Master
After Bogart's death in 1957, Sinatra (who was known as "The Pack Master") took over the group and added his closest friends, including Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford.
Rat Pack Motto
Being a Rat Pack member was taken very seriously. The group had its own coat of arms—an image of a rat biting a human hand—and their motto was "never rat on a rat."
The Summit
Sinatra reportedly hated the name the Rat Pack, and instead tried to call the group "The Clan" and "The Summit," but neither caught on with the media.
Special Gifts
Sinatra gave out embroidered bathrobes to the group. Nicknames were on each: Sinatra was "The Pope," Davis was "Smokey the Bear," and Martin was "Dino."
The Honorary Rat
Canadian singer Paul Anka was considered an honorary member of the group, and also received a robe. His nickname was "The Kid," because of how much younger he was than the rest of the bunch.
Las Vegas Shows
The Copa Room at the Sands was considered the home base for the Rat Pack. Whenever one had a show, it was almost a guarantee that others would make a surprise appearance.
Wild Nights
The party heated up at the Sands after a show wrapped. Once, the group reportedly ordered 300 Bloody Marys from room service in a single night.
Martin's Secret Skill
While in Vegas, Martin would often deal blackjack at several casinos.
A Comedian Joins
Not long after Martin and Davis joined, comedian Joey Bishop (pictured here with Sinatra and Eydie Gormé) was also invited into the mix. It was a natural fit for Bishop, who often opened for Sinatra and warmed up the crowd before his performances.
The Fifth Wheel
Bishop didn't feel fully comfortable around the group, once saying he was "never a full-fledged rat." He reportedly only sat at Sinatra's table when invited—something the singer didn't understand. Sinatra once said: "Goddamnit, how long does he have to be with me before he knows he can eat with us?"
Some Regrets
Being in the Rat Pack followed Bishop throughout the rest of his life. "He resented the Rat Pack for overshadowing the other achievements he made in his career," Richard A. Lertzman, the author of Deconstructing The Rat Pack: Joey, The Mob and the Summit, told Fox News.
The Albums
The five main members collaborated on a total of five albums—one for every member of the group. The most famous was 1960's The Rat Pack Live at the Sands.
The Mascots
Throughout the years, the Rat Pack was surrounded by women who were just as famous. Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Shirley MacLaine, and Juliet Prowse were called "mascots."
Breaking Barriers
The friendship between Sinatra and Davis (seen here goofing around in 1961) was history-making. During a time when discrimination ran rampant, Sinatra stepped in to defend his fellow entertainer. When a theater banned Davis because of his race, the singer tore up his contract and quit his performance there.
How They First Met
A 16-year-old Davis opened for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Sinatra—and they became immediate pals. "I wanted to be like him, I wanted to dress like him, I wanted to look like him, I took my hair and had it all done up, Sinatra style, with the little curl here and all," Davis reportedly said.
Friends to the End
The duo never lost their love or respect for one another. After Davis's passing in 1990, Sinatra—who was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral—told the Daily News: "I wish the world could have known Sam as I did. Sam never gave less than 100% when he was on stage, and he gave even more to those of us lucky enough to call him friend."
Making 'Ocean's 11'
In 1960, the five stars made Hollywood history by all starring in Ocean's 11 together. They allegedly ad-libbed most of their lines.
Shooting Schedules
Allegedly, Bishop was the only one who showed up on time to film Ocean's 11—and Sinatra shot for 20 minutes at 3 p.m. each day before starting to drink. After 5 p.m., the group would call it a day, perform in Las Vegas, and party the night away.
Proud Dads
Over the years, Martin and Sinatra's children—including Tina Martin and Nancy Sinatra, pictured here—became friends. "We were close-knit and far more average than most people thought," Tina told People. "The camaraderie between families started with the youngest and went to the oldest, and that's really true."
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