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| Wayne Newton | |
|---|---|
| Name | Wayne Newton |
| Caption | Newton in 2011 |
| Birth name | Carson Wayne Newton |
| Birth date | March 3, 1942 |
| Birth place | Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Singer, entertainer, actor |
| Years active | 1959–present |
| Spouse | Elaine Okamura (m. 1968) |
Wayne Newton is an American singer and entertainer known for a career spanning popular music, live performance, television, and Las Vegas headlining engagements. He emerged during the 1960s as a crossover pop and country vocalist, later becoming synonymous with Las Vegas entertainment through decades of residency shows and high-profile appearances. Newton's repertoire includes charting singles, television variety appearances, film roles, and extensive philanthropic activity tied to Nevada and national causes.
Carson Wayne Newton was born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and Roanoke, Virginia. He is the son of Eva Taylor and Patrick Newton, and he grew up in a family of entertainers that included siblings who performed together as the Newton family act. His early exposure to United Service Organizations-style performances, regional radio stations and television appearances shaped his formative years. Newton's family moved frequently between Virginia and New Jersey for performance opportunities, and he cultivated talents in singing and guitar influenced by artists associated with Grand Ole Opry-style country and Rhythm and blues traditions.
Newton began performing professionally as a child with his family act on local stages and regional television programs such as Arthur Godfrey's show and variety programs broadcast from Chicago and New York City. His first solo recordings were released on small independent labels before he signed with Capitol Records, which led to national exposure. Appearances on network programs including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Merv Griffin Show increased his visibility and helped him chart singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and country charts. Newton's crossover appeal connected him with audiences familiar with artists like Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Bobby Darin, and contemporaries in the Las Vegas lounge and supper-club circuit.
Newton established a long-term association with Las Vegas, Nevada, headlining showrooms and casino stages such as those at Caesars Palace, The Stardust Resort and Casino, and Sahara Las Vegas. He became a fixture on the Las Vegas Strip alongside performers like Liberace, Siegfried & Roy, Tom Jones, and Elvis Presley during the city's entertainment boom. Newton's residencies included extended engagements, touring revues, and special events tied to major functions at Las Vegas Convention Center and civic ceremonies in Clark County, Nevada. He also performed for U.S. presidents and at national celebrations, sharing stages with political figures associated with venues in Washington, D.C. and benefit events for organizations such as United Service Organizations and veterans' charities.
Newton's discography spans studio albums, live recordings, and compilation releases on labels including Capitol Records and independent imprints. He charted hits such as his signature song "Danke Schoen," which placed on the Billboard charts and became associated with film placements and television soundtracks. Other notable recordings include selections that crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Country charts, reflecting influences from traditional pop, easy listening, and country artists like Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Glen Campbell. Newton collaborated with arrangers and producers connected to the Nashville sound and pop orchestration movements, and his recordings have been anthologized on retrospective collections celebrating Las Vegas entertainers.
Beyond music, Newton appeared in feature films, television series, and variety specials. He guest-starred on programs produced by networks such as NBC, CBS, and ABC, and took roles in films that paired entertainers with actors from Hollywood studios like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Universal Pictures. Newton also headlined televised specials and participated in syndicated programs that showcased musicians and comedians from the Las Vegas circuit, sharing billing with performers tied to institutions such as The Kennedy Center and benefit telethons that included celebrities like Ed McMahon and Bob Hope.
Newton married Elaine Okamura, and the couple raised two daughters while maintaining residence and interests in Las Vegas and properties linked to Nevada communities. He engaged in philanthropic work supporting veterans' groups, children’s hospitals, and disaster relief, often participating in benefit concerts associated with organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and veterans' service groups. Newton's civic involvement connected him to civic leaders in Clark County, fundraisers affiliated with University of Nevada, Las Vegas and cultural institutions promoting performing arts education.
Over his long career, Newton faced various legal and business disputes involving contracts, property, and management, which drew attention from entertainment industry outlets and legal commentators. He was involved in litigation concerning leases and casino relationships on the Las Vegas Strip and faced public scrutiny over political fundraising events that included appearances with public figures from Nevada and national politics. Financial and tax-related challenges prompted negotiations with creditors and occasional media coverage linking Newton to broader conversations about entertainers' business affairs in the entertainment industry.
Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:American male singers Category:Las Vegas entertainers