When Frank Sinatra needed a trim, he didn’t head to just any salon. Instead, he often retreated to either the prestigious Waldorf Hotel in Manhattan or a converted train caboose behind his Palm Springs estate. There, Joe Paris, his trusted hairstylist of four decades, would work while becoming privy to some of the most personal moments of the Chairman of the Board’s life.
Paris, who recounts his remarkable journey in his new memoir Hairman of the Board, entered Sinatra’s world at age 27. What followed was an unlikely friendship that gave him access to music history and Sinatra’s lesser-known acts of kindness.
“Sinatra was often unpredictable,” Paris reflects, describing nights that began with a simple “Follow me” and ended in exclusive penthouses in the early hours of the morning. Perhaps most notably, Sinatra demonstrated a consistent commitment to anonymous philanthropy. Whether discreetly funding the repair of a basketball court or supporting charitable causes, Sinatra preferred that his contributions remain unnamed.
Within Sinatra’s inner circle, Paris earned an unusual nickname: “psychiatrist.” His calm demeanor proved invaluable during some of Sinatra’s more challenging moments, particularly when the singer was visibly frustrated. This role, coupled with their shared Brooklyn roots, fostered a connection Paris describes as “genuine and rooted in mutual respect.”
One of Paris’s cherished memories includes an intimate preview of what would become an anthem. “There were only a few of us sitting in his living room,” he recalls, when Sinatra introduced them to “New York, New York” – a song that later came to symbolize the city for generations.
Frank Sinatra and Joseph Paris
Their relationship endured through some of America’s most notable decades. During the Newark riots, Paris’s own business – a wig salon in the Canadian Fur Company – required police protection. Through these turbulent times, his connection to Sinatra remained a source of stability and insight into how the legendary performer adapted to change.
The Rat Pack era, which Paris observed firsthand, represented more than entertainment. “It was about a group of friends coming together and having fun,” he explains. “Sinatra had a great sense of humor. At night, it was as if he became a nine-year-old.” This playful side stood in contrast to his public persona as the sophisticated Chairman of the Board.
Paris’s anecdotes also extend to other celebrities of the time. He recounts an amusing incident involving Burt Reynolds, whose hair caught fire in a fireplace mishap, resulting in what Lonney Anderson described as “a flat Afro.” Reynolds later honored Paris by frequently mentioning him in the movie Physical Evidence – a reflection of the trusted position Paris held among Hollywood’s elite.
“I wanted people to see what a generous, kind human being Frank Sinatra was,” Paris explains about his decision to write the memoir. The book portrays a side of Sinatra rarely seen in other accounts – not just as a legendary performer but as a loyal friend who valued trust and discretion above all else.
Despite his proximity to historic moments, Paris maintained a respectful distance from the spotlight, often avoiding photo opportunities out of respect for Sinatra’s preferences. This discretion likely contributed to their enduring friendship when others faded.
“He was special. He was charitable. If he was your friend, you could rely on him,” Paris reflects. Through his memoir, he seeks to showcase not just the glamour of Sinatra’s world but the genuine heart of a man who shaped American culture while remaining, to a select few, a trusted friend. As Paris puts it, his story is “a great American, feel-good narrative about hope, inspiration, and dreams coming true” – highlighting how an unlikely friendship transcended the boundaries of celebrity and status in American culture.
The memoir has garnered praise from celebrities, including the legendary Terence Winter:
“Calling all Sinatra fans! Hairman of the Board isn’t just another biography of everyone’s favorite crooner; it’s an intimate, poignant peek behind the curtain at a global superstar brought to us by an insider whose own story could be a movie itself! Joseph Paris has written a gem.”
Terence Winter
Executive Producer / Writer
Boardwalk Empire / Sopranos / Wolf of Wall Street / Tulsa King
“HAIRMAN OF THE BOARD” is available now at Amazon: https://amzn.to/41anhWp.
Learn more about Joseph Paris here: https://hairmanoftheboard.com/.
Published by Stephanie M.
