John Emmet Raitt, born on January 29, 1917, in Santa Ana, California, was an American singer and actor. His breakthrough came with the role of Curly in the musical Oklahoma! in Chicago in 1944, which he later reprised on tour across the United States. Raitt made his Broadway debut in 1945 with Carousel, for which he received a Theatre World Award in 1945. He continued to perform in notable productions such as Magdalena (1948), The Pajama Game (1954-1956), and A Musical Jubilee (1975-1976). Raitt's film appearances included roles in The Call of the Wings (1940) and Billy the Kid (1941), as well as television work in shows like The Adventurers of the Far West. In 1992, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Raitt passed away on February 20, 2005, in Pacific Palisades, California.