Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he worked as a singer in nightclubs and a musical performer in stock theatre, later serving as a guest pianist for the NBC Symphony Orchestra on radio, and hosting a local TV show in New York. He also recorded briefly for the Motown label, singing on two singles and an unreleased album in 1964 called Better Late Than Never. Berry Gordy had hoped for Breen to become his first white contracted artist, but ultimately changed his mind because the singer did not suit the type of music that Motown produced.
Breen was one of the people represented on the cover of The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Breen was born Isadore Borsuk on November 4, 1927, in Montréal, Canada, the son of Hyman and Rebecca Borsuk. His parents were poor Jewish immigrants from present-day Ukraine. They, along with Breen's three older siblings, migrated from Kiev to Montreal, Canada, in 1927. Soon after, they relocated to the capital Toronto. His singing talent as a boy soprano was discovered at age three by his sister Susan, herself an aspiring musical student who was several years his senior. While their parents did not show any particular interest, Susan decided to help him achieve stardom. With the assistance from her music teacher, Breen got a chance to perform in front of an audience in a nightclub. Soon, he began winning prizes in theatre competitions, providing significant amount of income to the poor family. Due to his gained popularity, the two siblings decided to look for work and recognition in the United States. Financed by Susan, they traveled to Chicago by bus in 1934, where he began working with people such as Gloria Swanson and Milton Berle in local theater productions. Breen later relocated to New York City. The foreign-sounding last name of Borsuk had been anglicised to Breen prior to their arrival in the United States.
Breen went to Hollywood in 1935, where he received singing lessons from a vocal coach. Film producer Sol Lesser, who had discovered Jackie Coogan, signed Breen to RKO Radio Pictures. Around this time, he became a regular performer on Eddie Cantor's weekly radio show in 1936, where his talents as a boy soprano were appreciated by the listeners. Prior to the release of his first motion picture, Let's Sing Again, he was compared to other child stars of the era such as Freddie Bartholomew and Shirley Temple. In terms of his vocalist abilities, he was described as a combination of Allan Jones, Nelson Eddy and Al Jolson. His debut saw him being top-billed with Henry Armetta as his co-star. He sang La donna è mobile, among other songs, in the movie.
Satisfied with his debut for the studio, RKO signed a deal with him for three additional movies. He was cast in another musical later the same year called Rainbow on the River, co-starring May Robson and Alan Mowbray. He sang Ave Maria and the film's title song Rainbow on the River. Kurt Neumann, who had directed Breen in his first two pictures, worked with him for the last time in Make a Wish in 1937. His co-star was Basil Rathbone. In a 1938 article, he was referred to as one of the rare cases of child actors succeeding in an adult-dominated industry.
By the time he had completed filming Escape to Paradise in 1939, his voice was gradually changing due to puberty. As a result, he retired from the film industry, despite being originally contracted for two additional movies, and instead focused on his education at Beverly Hills High School. He described the sudden voice change in a 1977 article:
When you've been a child star and suddenly find yourself with a husky voice, it's hard to convince agents that you're not over the hill. I stopped singing at 16 because of the huskiness and took up the piano. I had the knack for it, but never wanted to be a concert pianist. I just wanted to be back in the world I'd known all my life.
His popularity did not immediately wane during his hiatus, receiving mail from numerous fans across the United States and United Kingdom. He briefly returned to the screen in 1942 to appear as himself in Johnny Doughboy, starring Jane Withers. As an adult, he would express skepticism about children working in the entertainment industry. He also signed a contract with Decca Records when he began his Hollywood career, and had moderate success with a series of 78 rpm records in the late 1930s.
Breen enlisted in the infantry in the U.S. Army during the World War 2 in the early 1940s. He and fellow Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney were soon assigned to entertain the troops, despite him having retired from show business. Breen was hospitalized in France in 1945 towards the end of the war. For his war efforts, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
After discharging from the army in 1946, he initially struggled to find work as he returned to show business. He did some theatre work as well as some radio appearances in New York during this period. Because of his voice having changed since becoming an adult, he took singing lessons to reinvent himself by adapting to a new tenor singing style.
In 1953, Breen appeared on ABC's reality show, The Comeback Story, to explain how his career nose-dived as he entered his teen years and how he fought to recover.
Since the 1970s, he and his wife Audrey have been working in Florida as entrepreneurs, booking agents and producers that arrange musical shows performed by various entertainers at smaller, affordable venues. The business idea is called a "condominium circuit". In later years, it has focused on hiring aged stars of the past, including Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Ann Blyth.
In November 1948, he went missing while on a private flight from Waukesha, Wisconsin to Hayward, Missouri. Several planes went searching for him for one-and-a-half days before it was discovered that he had been staying at a hotel anonymously without telling anyone. He was fined 300 U.S. dollars.
Breen married fashion model Jocelyn Lesh on November 9, 1952. The couple had a son, Hunter Keith Breen, in 1954. Four years later, the marriage became unsustainable, with Jocelyn claiming that he had physically injured her. They went their separate ways, but the divorce was not finalized until February 1961. He married the president of the City of Hope National Medical Center Audrey Howard around 1962.
He lived with his family in Tamarac, Florida, and worked as the owner/operator of Bobby Breen Enterprises, a local talent agency. Starting in 2002, he made occasional concert appearances.
His sister Susan died in 2002. That same year, he underwent bypass surgery due to blocked arteries in his heart. He died of natural causes in Pompano Beach, Florida on September 19, 2016, three days following the death of his wife.
On February 12, 2012, he was the recipient of the "Forest Trace Honorary Octogenarian: Turn Back Time" award.
Filmography
With Louise Beavers in Rainbow on the River (1936)
Year Title Role
1936 Let's Sing Again Billy Gordon
Rainbow on the River Philip Ainsworth
1937 Make a Wish Chip Winters
1938 Hawaii Calls Billy Coulter
Breaking the Ice Tommy Martin
1939 Fisherman's Wharf Tony Roma
Way Down South Timothy Reid Jr
Escape to Paradise Roberto Ramos
1942 Johnny Doughboy Bobby Breen (himself)
Breen was one of the people represented on the cover of The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He found his inclusion on the album cover surprising.
Lenny Bruce mentioned Breen in his comedy routines "Hitler and the MCA" and "The Palladium".
You're Just Like You
Bobby Breen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And most anything
They wither and fade
After blossom in Spring
Time conquers innocence
Pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
That's all
Everything changes
Weather blows hot or cold
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby
So hard to pin down
Oh when are you coming around?
Hopelessly grounded
I walk through the streets
Remembering how we spent time
Hopefully yearning that someday we'll meet
But when will we, how could we, why? Oh my!
Fashion houses ladies
Need plenty loose change
When the latest creation
Is last year's fab-rave
Thought patterns hazy
This auto-style age
Will lady luck smile old and sage?
She knows that,
Never again, no, will I give up my heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
Nevertheless love, it's all here in my book
I'd write it but don't have much time
You see, I know it sounds crazy
But what can I do?
I've fallen head over heels, over you
Chameleon color
All phases of moon
The shifting of planets
And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it
So seasons will change
Just like you
The song "You're Just Like You" by Bobby Breen is a reflective composition on changes and time. The first half talks about how everything is fleeting, just like how the flowers and plants bloom in spring and wither away, and how pride comes before a fall. The key takeaway from that first half is that knowledge is what gives wisdom, and wisdom is something that stands the test of time. The second half talks about how everything goes through a transformation, including weather, metals, and people. The singer is in love, and they can't stop thinking about their love interest. They recall the moments they spent together, and they yearn for the day when they can reunite. However, fate is uncertain, and the singer is unsure whether they will meet their lover again.
The song explores the relationship between time, change, and love. It's a poignant reminder that everything in life is fleeting, but what endures is the knowledge and wisdom we gain from our experiences. The singer is in love, and despite the uncertainty of fate, they hold onto the hope of being reunited with their lover one day.
Line by Line Meaning
Buttercup daisies
Small flowers that seem happy and bright
And most anything
Other things that can also be happy and bright
They wither and fade
They don't last forever
After blossom in Spring
They have their moment in the sun, but then go away
Time conquers innocence
As we grow older, we lose our naivety and become wiser
Pride takes a fall
Being too sure of ourselves can lead to our downfall
In knowledge lies wisdom
Knowing more can help us make better choices
That's all
We should keep these things in mind when thinking about life
Everything changes
Nothing stays the same forever
Weather blows hot or cold
The climate can vary widely
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Things can change in surprising ways
Quicksilver baby
It's hard to catch something that's constantly on the move
So hard to pin down
It's difficult to get a handle on what's happening
Oh when are you coming around?
I'm eager to see you
Hopelessly grounded
I feel stuck where I am
I walk through the streets
I'm wandering around town
Remembering how we spent time
Thinking about the past when we were together
Hopefully yearning that someday we'll meet
I'm wishing for a reunion
But when will we, how could we, why? Oh my!
I'm uncertain if we'll ever cross paths again
Fashion houses ladies
Women who care about the latest styles
Need plenty loose change
They need a lot of money to keep up with the trends
When the latest creation
New fashions and trends
Is last year's fab-rave
What was popular before is no longer in style
Thought patterns hazy
My thinking is foggy and unclear
This auto-style age
Nowadays, people are obsessed with cars and other machines
Will lady luck smile old and sage?
I wonder if I'll ever have good fortune
She knows that,
Whatever happens is out of my control
Never again, no, will I give up my heart
I've been burned in love before and won't let it happen again
To gamble with fate is my crime
Taking chances is dangerous, but I can't resist it
Nevertheless love, it's all here in my book
Even though I don't have much time, I want to write about my feelings
I'd write it but don't have much time
I'm so busy that I can't take the time to write about love
You see, I know it sounds crazy
I'm aware that my feelings might seem irrational
But what can I do?
I can't help how I feel
I've fallen head over heels, over you
I've completely fallen in love with you
Chameleon color
Colors that change depending on the situation
All phases of moon
The cycle of the moon from full to new
The shifting of planets
The movement of celestial bodies in the sky
And leopard spots too
Patterns that change and shift like a leopard's coat
As destiny wills it
There's a bigger plan at work that I can't control
So seasons will change
Just like everything else, the seasons will come and go
Just like you
You're always changing, too
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind