The feud between Frank Sinatra and Joey Bishop is a fascinating chapter in the history of the Rat Pack. While Peter Lawford’s exit from the group is well-known, Bishop also faced Sinatra’s ire, leading to a prolonged and bitter falling out. According to authors Richard A. Lertzman and Lon Davis in their book *Deconstructing The Rat Pack*, the discord began when Sinatra asked Bishop to fill in for him at the Cal NAA Lodge, a casino partly owned by Sinatra himself.
Bishop, feeling that his star had risen significantly due to his association with the Rat Pack, made what Sinatra considered excessive demands. He requested a $50,000 fee and a private jet, which infuriated Sinatra. Known for his strong sense of loyalty and pride in his role as the group’s leader, Sinatra interpreted Bishop’s demands as blatant ingratitude. This disagreement escalated to the point where Sinatra abruptly hung up on Bishop and excluded him from future Rat Pack projects, including the film *Robin and the Seven Hoods*.
The rift left both men feeling wounded. Bishop had dedicated himself to his craft since the 1930s and felt he deserved greater recognition for his contributions to the Rat Pack’s success. As he grappled with being seen as a mere sidekick to Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., Bishop’s resentment grew. In a later Time magazine interview, he reflected on the hurtful narratives surrounding his career, expressing bitterness over being labeled as someone who only occasionally worked with the group.
Despite the animosity, those close to Bishop noted that he still harbored affection for Sinatra, but the damage done to their friendship was irreparable. Bishop’s career never regained its former heights, a decline he attributed to being sidelined by Sinatra. This aspect of their relationship underscores the fragile egos and power dynamics inherent within the Rat Pack, showcasing Sinatra’s dominant role as the gatekeeper who could elevate or dismantle careers.
While Bishop and Sinatra eventually managed to reconcile to some extent, their relationship never fully healed from the fallout over the Cal NAA incident. This feud serves as a poignant reminder that even among the Rat Pack, where camaraderie seemed unshakeable, no one was exempt from Sinatra’s formidable temper and uncompromising loyalty code.