Ross Bagdasarian
Biography
Ross Bagdasarian was an American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer who, as David Seville, created the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks. Born in Fresno, California, he began as a stage and film actor, making his Broadway debut in 1939 in William Saroyan's The Time of Your Life. He appeared in films including Destination Gobi (1953) and Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954). He also wrote songs, and his first major success, Come On-a My House, co-written with Saroyan, became a hit for Rosemary Clooney. After signing with Liberty Records, he adopted the stage name David Seville and reached number one in 1958 with Witch Doctor. That year he introduced the Chipmunks; their song The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) won Grammy Awards. He produced and directed The Alvin Show, broadcast on CBS from 1961 to 1962. He died in 1972.
52years old at death
- Born Fresno
- Died Beverly Hills
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- Rostom Sipan Bagdasarian (birth name)Also credited as David Seville and Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 3 years1953 to 1956
Every film, newest first
- 1956Three Violent PeopleIMDb rating 6.3
- 1954Rear WindowIMDb rating 8.4
- 1953Destination GobiIMDb rating 6.3
Genres
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About the name
Bagdasarian's later stage name, David Seville, came from the city of Seville in Spain, where he was stationed and which he liked.
A first
Bagdasarian created the Chipmunks' names from Liberty Records executives: Simon from Si Waronker, Theodore from Ted Keep, and Alvin from Alvin Bennett.
Behind the award
Bagdasarian's "The Chipmunk Song" won three Grammy Awards in 1959, including Best Recording for Children and Best Comedy Performance, which he accepted as David Seville.
Ross Bagdasarian movies on Netflix
Worked with
Ross Bagdasarian shares two films with Frank Cady, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Frank Cady's page
James Stewart's page
Charlton Heston's page
Richard Widmark's page
Barton MacLane's page
Franklyn Farnum's page
All films by Alfred Hitchcock
Rudolph MatéDirector, 1 film, 1956
All films by Rudolph Maté
All films by Robert Wise
Awards
Three awards and honors from 1958 to 1960, three of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | |||
| 1960 | Best Album for Children | Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks | Won |
| 1958 | Best Album for Children | The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) | Won |
| 1958 | Best Comedy Album | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.