Al Jolson

Personal Info

Birthday

May 26, 1886

Day of Death

1950-10-23

(64 years old)

Place of Birth

Sredniki, Kovno Governorate, Russian Empire [now Seredzius, Lithuania]

Also Known As

Asa Yoelson

אַסאַ יואלסאָן

Al Jolson

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Al Jolson (May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer".

He was born in the Russian Empire (the part of which is now in Lithuania) and emigrated to America at the age of five with his Jewish parents. His performing style was brash and extroverted, and he popularized a large number of songs that benefited from his "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach". Numerous well-known singers were influenced by his music, including Bing Crosby Judy Garland, rock and country entertainer Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan, who once referred to him as "somebody whose life I can feel".