We all have those legendary performers we wish we could have met in person. For me, the list begins with Jackie Gleason, Jimmy Stewart and James Cagney. But one name resonates as being at the top of my “Wish I woulda met” list: The King Of Cool, Dean Martin. He passed away Christmas Day, 1995, so I thought I would share my experience with the Dean Martin family this holiday week.

I had the good fortune of meeting his daughter, Deana (yes, that’s Dean with an “a”) at a panel presentation with the children of famous Italian Americans in Washington, D.C. a few years ago. At the time, I was managing Lena Prima, the daughter of entertainer Louis Prima, who was asked to be a part of the discussion.

That day, I also had some incredible “face-time” with Kathy LaGuardia, granddaughter of New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia; Dale Berra, son of baseball great Yogi Berra and Frank Capra, Jr., son of Hollywood Director Frank Capra. I could write volumes from that weekend!