Born Name:  Yuri Givistinsky

Born Date:  February 18, 1903

Born Place:  Ekaterinoslav, Russian Empire (now Dnipro, Ukraine)

Died Date:  June 7, 1984

Died Place:  Palm Springs, California

Occupations:  Comedian, actor, singer

Brief Biography:  George Givot was known for his work in vaudeville, radio, film, and television. Known as the "Greek Ambassador of Good Will," he famously used a comedic, exaggerated Greek dialect in his performances.

Best Known Role:
Givot is best remembered as the voice of Tony, the Italian restaurateur, in the 1955 Disney animated classic Lady and the Tramp, where he performed the romantic ballad "Bella Notte".

Key Facts & Biography:
Career Start: He began in vaudeville in the 1920s after a stint as a soda jerk, where he learned the Greek accent that defined his career.
Film Work: Givot appeared in numerous shorts and features, including The Chief (1933), Hollywood Party (1934), and later, the comedy Road to Morocco (1942).
Voice Acting: Beyond Lady and the Tramp, he was a prolific radio personality, including appearances on The Jimmy Durante Show.

Vaudeville & Broadway:
Givot worked with notable performers like Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton. He also appeared on Broadway, most notably in the musical Mexican Hayride (1944).