Jimmy Boyd American singer, musician and actor Date of Birth: 09.01.1939 Country: USA

1. Biography of Jimmy Boyd
2. Early Life and Musical Background
3. Early Success and Career
4. Record-breaking Hit and Controversy
5. Acting Career
6. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Jimmy Boyd

Jimmy Boyd was an American singer, musician, and actor. He was born on January 9, 1939, in a old farmhouse near McCoom, Mississippi. At the age of 11-12, Jimmy recorded the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" on the Columbia Records label. In the first week, the song sold over 2.5 million copies, which was an absolute record at that time. It is known that since its release, the song has been purchased 60 million times, including internet sales.

Early Life and Musical Background

Jimmy Boyd was born into a musical family. His grandfather, Bill, was a well-known fiddle player in the region and often played at family gatherings and dances. His father, Leslie, played guitar and harmonica, while Jimmy learned to play the guitar at the age of nine. The Boyd family faced financial difficulties due to a drought that caused their crops to fail. Leslie took on odd jobs to support his family and eventually became an experienced carpenter. Despite the hardships, Jimmy's parents encouraged his musical talents.

Early Success and Career

At the age of nine, Jimmy's older brother Kenneth approached Jimmie Lewis, the leader of a local band, and insisted that he listen to Jimmy play the guitar and sing. After Jimmy performed on stage, the crowd went wild with excitement. Lewis and his manager approached Jimmy's parents and offered him a weekly spot on a radio show, paying $50 per performance. Jimmy quickly gained popularity and went on to participate in various shows and parodies, including Frank Sinatra's "The Frank Sinatra Show" on CBS-TV.

Record-breaking Hit and Controversy

When Jimmy was 11-12 years old, he recorded the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" on the Columbia Records label. The song sold over 2.5 million copies in the first week, setting an absolute record at that time. It is estimated that the song has been purchased 60 million times since its release. The song faced controversy initially when the Catholic church in Boston banned it, claiming that it mixed Christmas with sexuality. Jimmy personally traveled to Boston to explain the true meaning of the song, leading to the ban being lifted.

Acting Career

In addition to his musical success, Jimmy Boyd had a talent for comedy acting. He appeared in several television series, including "Bachelor Father," "My Three Sons," "Date with the Angels," "The Betty White Show," "The Bob Hope Show," "Broadside," and "The Bing Crosby Show." He also had roles in films such as "Inherit the Wind" in 1960 and "Brainstorm" in 1983.

Personal Life and Legacy

Jimmy Boyd married actress Yvonne Craig in 1962, but they divorced shortly after. In 1980, he married Anne Forrester, with whom he had a son. However, they divorced in 1984. Jimmy considered the birth of his son to be the most significant event in his life.

On March 7, 2009, Jimmy Boyd passed away from cancer. He left behind a legacy as a talented singer, musician, and actor, with his record-breaking hit "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" remaining a beloved Christmas classic.