Bobby Darin, born Walden Robert Cassotto in 1936, was a versatile American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned pop, swing, folk, rock and roll, and country music. He began as a songwriter for Connie Francis before achieving his own success with hits like Splish Splash, Dream Lover, Mack the Knife, and Beyond the Sea. Darin won the first Grammy for Best New Artist in 1959 and also received Record of the Year for Mack the Knife. He expanded into acting, earning a Golden Globe for his film debut in Come September. In the 1960s, Darin became active in politics, working on Robert F. Kennedy's campaign and was present at the time of Kennedy's assassination. Personal revelations and tragedy deeply affected him, leading to a period of seclusion. Despite a television comeback in the early 1970s, his lifelong heart condition worsened, and he died in 1973 at the age of 37.