Contrary to popular belief, Don Ameche did not invent the telephone. He did, instead, captivate several generations of moviegoers, radio fans, TV addicts and Broadway patrons in an astounding, prolific career which stretched from the 1930s to the 1990s. Part of the glorious studio system, with 20th Century-Fox, he starred in some of the most popular films of old Hollywood: Alexander's Ragtime Band, In Old Chicago, The Story of Alexander Graham Bell, That Night in Rio, Moon Over Miami, Heaven Can Wait. He was one of radio's most versatile voices, moving effortlessly from drama (First Nighter) to classic comedy (The Bickersons) to singing emcee (Drene Time), having entered the industry when radio was still an infant. He never left it.He was a Broadway star, appearing in Cole Porter's last stage musical, Silk Stockings. He was the dashing master of ceremonies for television's first great circus series, International Showtime. He made the greatest of all comebacks by starring as half of those nasty Duke brothers in Eddie Murphy's huge hit comedy, Trading Places.