He was born Genaro Louis Vitaliano in the borough of The Bronx in New York City. In high school, in order to make some money, he took a job shining shoes in a barbershop in New York City. He sang while he shined shoes, and his boss liked the sound so well that he paid for music lessons for the boy. Enjoying the lessons, Jerry started singing in high school musicals and at a local club. This led to additional club dates, including one that lasted for three years at a club in the suburb of Yonkers, just north of the city. Guy Mitchell heard him there and arranged for him to record some demonstration records of songs written by an acquaintance. When some of these demos got to Columbia Records, the Artists & Repertory manager there, Mitch Miller, liked the singer better than the songs. Jerry Vale was soon signed to a Columbia contract.

Jerry and Rita, his wife of 41 years, reside in Los Angeles.