Frank Sinatra, Jr. Passed Away!

Little Frankie, we'll sure miss you! Frank Sinatra, Jr. was the son of singer and actor Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra. He was the younger brother of singer and actress Nancy Sinatra, and the older brother of television producer Tina Sinatra.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, into the household of one of the most popular singers in the world, Frank Jr. hardly saw his father, who was constantly on the road either performing or working in films. However, Frank Jr. recalls wanting to become a piano player and songwriter from his earliest days. His father wanted to name him after Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was President at the time of his birth.

Sinatra was kidnapped, at the age of 19, on December 8, 1963 at Harrah's Lake Tahoe (room 417).

He was released two days later after his father paid the $240,000 ransom demanded by the kidnappers. Barry Keenan, Johnny Irwin, and Joe Amsler were soon captured, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to long prison terms for kidnapping, of which they served only small portions (mastermind Keenan was later adjudged to have been legally insane at the time of the crime and hence not legally responsible for his actions).

Famed attorney Gladys Root represented one of the three men.

Seth MacFarlane idolized Frank, Jr.

A rumor at the time was that Frank Sr. arranged this in an attempt to gain publicity for his son's fledgling singing career – a rumor believed to have inspired the plot for the Hawaii Five-O episode "Tiger by the Tail"– but this was proven to be false. The kidnappers demanded that all communication be conducted by payphone. During these conversations, Frank Sr. became concerned he would not have enough change. This prompted Frank Sr. to carry a roll of dimes (10 cent coins) with him at all times for the rest of his life; he was even buried with 10 dimes in his pocket.

At the time of the kidnapping, Frank Sr. and the Rat Pack were filming Robin and the 7 Hoods. The stress of the kidnapping, in addition to the assassination of Sinatra's close friend John F. Kennedy just a few days previous, caused him to seriously consider shutting down production completely, though the film was ultimately completed

Frank leaves behind a son.

While in Daytona Beach, Frank was scheduled to perform at an event. He was feeling ill and was admitted to a local hospital. According to his publicist he died of a heart attack.

He was 72 years old,

He guest starred on the Fox animated sitcom Family Guy. He played himself helping Brian and Stewie open up a trendy nightclub after their business was failing. Seth MacFarlane plays the voices of both Brian and Stewie Griffin. MacFarlane is an animator, voice actor, comedian, and Oscar Award winning music writer and singer.

Frank Sinatra, Jr. was a friend to Family Guy, and a friend to me. I'm saddened at his passing, but grateful to have known him. RIP, Frank.

— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 17, 2016

World News Today send our condolences to the family of Frank Sinatra, Jr.