Al Jolson

Born Asa Yoelson in Lithuania in 1886, Al Jolson came to New York as a boy shortly before the turn of the century, and eventually pursued a singing career. By about 1915, Jolson had become known as "America's Greatest Entertainer." His work on stage, radio, silent films, and of course recordings made him the first real multi-media superstar. In 1927 he starred in the semi-autobiographical film THE JAZZ SINGER, groundbreaking for its early use of sound. In the '40s, a popular Jolson biopic, THE JOLSON STORY, sparked a comeback for the singer, who enjoyed a second round of huge success before his death in 1950.