Born Name:  Asa Yoelson

Born Date:  May 26, 1886

Born Place:  Sredniki, Russian Empire

Died Date:  October 23, 1950

Died Place:  San Francisco, California

Occupations:  Singer, comedian, actor, vaudevillian

Brief Biography:  Al Jolson was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer" in the 1920s. A massive Broadway star known for his energetic performances and blackface acts, he starred in The Jazz Singer (1927), the first feature-length "talkie". Jolson was a dominant entertainment figure for over 40 years, later popularizing his life story in the 1946 film The Jolson Story.

Early Life and Career:
Immigration: Emigrated to the U.S. in 1894, settling in Washington, D.C., where his father was a rabbi and cantor.
Early Start: Began performing with his brother Harry, appearing in vaudeville and entertaining troops during the Spanish-American War.
Blackface Persona: Developed a unique, energetic style often in blackface, becoming a top star on the Western vaudeville circuits by 1906.

Broadway and Film Stardom:
Broadway Success: Known as the biggest Broadway star of the 1910s and 1920s, performing at the New York Winter Garden in hits like La Belle Paree (1911) and Bombo (1921).
Signature Songs: Popularized hits including "Swanee," "My Mammy," "California, Here I Come," and "April Showers"."
The Jazz Singer" (1927): Starred in the first movie with synchronized sound, cementing his place in film history.

Later Years and Legacy:
World War II/Korea: Active in the USO, he was the first star to entertain troops overseas during World War II and the first to perform for GIs in Korea.
Comeback: His life was depicted in the successful 1946 film The Jolson Story and its 1949 sequel Jolson Sings Again.