Bing Crosby Wed Jul 04 2001 at 18:59:41 Americancrooner and actor (1904-1977). Probably one of the most popular celebrities prior to the 1950s, in radio, TV, andmovies. Born Harry Lillis Crosby in Tacoma, Washington, he was nicknamed "Bing" or "Bingo" after one of his favorite comic strips. He put together a vocaltrio called the Rhythm Boys with some friends at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Bing had a beautiful, mellowbaritone voice that both men and women enjoyed listening to and that sounded really good both in person and on the radio. When the Rhythm Boys got fairly popular and appeared in the film "The King of Jazz" in 1930, Crosby left the group.