Don Ameche (Dominic Felix Amici)

Career and notable roles

Ameche began his public career in the era when radio and live theatre were major entertainment platforms. Over several decades he moved between mediums, appearing in studio films, television series and stage productions. Late in his career he earned renewed attention for supporting parts in mainstream hits: he played Mortimer Duke in Trading Places and appeared in Coming to America; he was also widely recognized for his role as Art Selwyn in Cocoon and its sequel. Further details of his filmography and television appearances are available at Trading Places credits, Coming to America credits and Cocoon credits.

Awards and recognition

During his long career Ameche received significant honors. He was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Cocoon and was a recipient of the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival, reflecting international as well as domestic recognition. Readers interested in his awards can consult an awards summary at awards and honors.

Early life and education

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Ameche was the son of an Italian immigrant father and a mother of mixed Irish and German ancestry. He used the stage name Don Ameche, an Anglicized form derived from his family name Dominic Amici. He attended multiple institutions of higher education, including Marquette University, Loras College and the University of Wisconsin, before focusing on a professional performing career. Biographical sources and regional histories note his Wisconsin origins at Kenosha biography and discuss his family background at Irish ancestry and German ancestry.

Personal life

Ameche married Honore Prendergast in 1932; their marriage lasted until her death in 1986. The couple had six children, four sons and two daughters. Later in life Ameche lived intermittently in Arizona; he died at age 85 in Scottsdale, Arizona on December 6, 1993, after a battle with prostate cancer. For personal records and notices see educational and family records, Scottsdale records and medical and obituary information.

Legacy and distinctions

Don Ameche is remembered for a versatility that kept him active across changing entertainment industries: from the golden age of radio and classical studio pictures to television and later blockbuster comedies. His late-career Oscar win helped introduce him to new audiences, and his name remains associated with a distinctive period in American screen history. For curated retrospectives and archival material consult the linked collections and profiles above.

• Also known as: Dominic Felix Amici
• Main media: Radio, film, television, stage
• Notable films: Cocoon, Trading Places, Coming to America