| 'Asa Yoelson' (May 26, 1886 - October 23, 1950), better known as 'Al Jolson', was an immigrant son of a Russian Jew, and was born in Seredzius, Lithuania.
Jolson became a popular singer and a superstar of the Broadway stage, radio and film. He is best known, however, for his appearance in one of the first 'talkies' 'The Jazz Singer', (the first film with sound to enjoy wide commercial success), in 1927 (See also 'blackface').
His Broadway career is unmatched for length and popularity, having spanned close to 30 years (1911-1940). 'Jolie' as he was known to his friends in 'The Show Business' was the first entertainer to sell one million records. After leaving the Broadway stage Jolson starred on radio, and his shows were always in the top ten of ratings. However, Jolson scored what many believe to be the greatest comeback in show business history when Columbia Pictures produced the film biography 'The Jolson Story' in 1946, which starred Larry Parks as Jolson, lip-synching to Jolson's voice. A box office smash (it was the highest grossing film since 'Gone With the Wind') led to a whole new generation became enthralled with Jolson's voice and charisma. Despite such singers as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como being in their primes, Jolson was voted the 'Most Popular Male Vocalist' in 1948 by a Variety poll. |
