American entertainer, actor, and singer
Born: May 26, 1886
Died: October 23, 1950
Al Jolson, born Asa Yoelson on May 26, 1886, in Srednike, Russian Empire (now Lithuania), was a pioneering American singer, comedian, and actor. Emigrating to the United States with his family in 1894, Jolson grew up in Washington, D.C., and began performing in vaudeville in his teens. Known for his charismatic stage presence and booming voice, he quickly became one of America’s most popular entertainers.
Jolson is perhaps best known for his role in the groundbreaking 1927 film “The Jazz Singer,” the first feature-length motion picture with synchronized dialogue, which marked the end of the silent film era. His performance of “Mammy” and other songs in blackface, while controversial today, was widely accepted at the time and contributed to his fame.
Beyond film, Jolson had a successful career on Broadway and radio, earning the title “The World’s Greatest Entertainer.” His influence extended to his support for troops during World War II, where he was the first star to entertain overseas.
Despite his immense popularity, Jolson’s use of blackface and the racial implications of his performances are subjects of significant criticism today. Al Jolson passed away on October 23, 1950, in San Francisco, California, leaving behind a complex legacy as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry and a figure of racial controversy.
Al Jolson’s 5 most popular quotes
- To entertain is to make people happy.
- The best way to make a man happy is to make him feel important.
- I never wanted to be famous, but I always wanted to be great.
- The slave who knows he is a slave is halfway to freedom.
- Life is a jest, and all things show it; I thought so once, and now I know it.
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