Truman Virgil Tomlin (1907 - 1987)

Born 9 Sep 1907 in Eros, Marion, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Joanne (Alcorn) Tomlin — married 23 Mar 1938 in Oklahoma, Oklahoma, United States

Died 12 Dec 1987 at age 80 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

Truman Tomlin is Notable.

Truman Virgil "Pinky" Tomlin remains notable for his multifaceted career as a musician, actor, and entrepreneur. Rising to prominence in the 1930s, Tomlin's distinctive voice and charismatic stage presence captivated audiences across America. His hit songs, including "The Object of My Affection," and successful film appearances, solidified his status as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Beyond his musical talents, Tomlin's transition to business, founding "Pinky Tomlin Oil Properties," demonstrated his versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout his life, he remained committed to charitable endeavors and community involvement, leaving a lasting legacy both in entertainment and beyond.^[1]

Truman Virgil Tomlin, affectionately known as "Pinky," was born on September 9, 1907, in Eros, Marion County, Arkansas, to George Louis Tomlin and Louisa C. (Dobbs) Tomlin.^[2] He lived in Grove Township, Newton County, Arkansas^[3], before his family moved to Durant, Bryan County, Oklahoma where he grew up.^[4] Growing up, he displayed passion for music and entertainment from a young age.^[5]

At the age of 16, Tomlin embarked on his musical journey, joining Louis Armstrong's band on a riverboat in St. Louis, Missouri. It was during this time that he honed his skills as a guitarist, which later became a prominent aspect of his performances.^[6]

Tomlin earned his nickname "Pinky" when kids at school discovered he was a physical menace if they called him "Red." They compromised on "Pinky." Despite his early success in music, he pursued higher education, studying geology and law at the University of Oklahoma.^[5]

Throughout the 1930s, Tomlin toured extensively with his own band, composing several hit songs along the way. His talent and charisma led him to Hollywood, where he starred in numerous films and became a popular figure in the entertainment industry.^[5][7]

In 1938, Tomlin married his college sweetheart, Joanne Alcorn, and the couple remained together for the rest of his life.^[8]

Following his Hollywood stint, Tomlin formed his own swing band, "Pinky Tomlin and his Orchestra," which toured America for two years. Despite his success in music, he eventually retired from the industry in the mid-1950s to pursue his passion for geology.^[5][7][9]

Tomlin founded "Pinky Tomlin Oil Properties," a successful oil and gas drilling company based in Beverly Hills. Even in retirement, he remained active in charitable endeavors, particularly within the Beverly Hills Rotary Club.^[5][7]

Tomlin's legacy extended beyond his entertainment career, as he continued to make occasional television appearances and participate in charity events. His autobiography, "The Object of My Affection," was published in 1981, reflecting on his remarkable life journey.^[5][7]

Truman Virgil "Pinky" Tomlin passed away on December 12, 1987, leaving behind a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and community.^[10][11][12] He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in American entertainment history.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Pinky Tomlin. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. February 9, 2024, 07:01 UTC. Available at: "Pinky Tomlin." Accessed March 5, 2024.
2. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1907 Ancestry Record 61774 #710487
3. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Grove, Newton, Arkansas; Roll: T624_59; Page: 2a; Enumeration District: 0095; FHL microfilm: 1374072 Ancestry Record 7884 #191137648
4. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Durant Ward 4, Bryan, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1454; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 17 Ancestry Record 6061 #79688478
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} How Pinky Tomlin Wowed 'em in Hollywood, The Californian, Salinas, California, 16 Mar 1935, Sat. - Page 9. Newspapers Clip: 142708385, Accessed 4 Mar 2024.
6. ↑ MacGillivray, Scott, IMDb Mini Bio, (n.d.). "Pinky Tomlin." Accessed 4 Mar 2024.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3} Hollywood Musicals You Missed: Seventy Noteworthy Films from the 1930s, Bradley, E.M.,9781476673585,https://books.google.com/books?id=E37pDwAAQBAJ, 2020, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers
8. ↑ "Crooner and Bride Visit Santa Barbara", The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, California, 23 Mar 1938, Wed. - Page 2. Newspapers Clip: 142712564, Accessed 4 Mar 2024.
9. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 5056; Page: 19; Enumeration District: 66-827 Ancestry Record 62308 #266547290
10. ↑ "Pinky Tomlin Dies; Big Band Songwriter", Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 16 Dec 1987, Wed. - Page 55. Newspapers Clip: 142704720, Accessed 4 Mar 2024.
11. ↑ California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997: Place: Los Angeles; Date: 12 Dec 1987; Social Security: 523106599 Ancestry Record 5180 #7383269
12. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #62839673
13. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6079810/pinky-tomlin: accessed March 4, 2024), memorial page for Pinky Tomlin (9 Sep 1907–12 Dec 1987), Find A Grave: Memorial #6079810, citing Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q7196253