George Jessel gained fame in vaudeville, where it was not uncommon forhim--and other performers, such asAl Jolson,Eddie Cantor--to perform inblackface, and in fact at age 11 Jessel was Cantor's vaudevillepartner. Jessel acted in several movies in the '30s and became arespected film producer. He was also a prolific songwriter, and wasnoted for his renditions of "Sonny Boy" and "My Yiddishe Mama". In hislater years he made many guest appearances (always as himself) onradio, in occasional movies and on TV. He was nicknamed "TheToastmaster General" due to his appearances at many testimonialfunctions and dinners for various celebrities.
BornApril 3, 1898
DiedMay 24, 1981(83)
- Awards
- 2 wins total
Actor
- 1981
- 1979
- 1978
- 1976
- 1970
- 1969
- 1968–1969
- 1967
- 1967
- Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine8.4TV Series
- Guest New Talent Presenter
- Guest
- New Talent Presenter ...
- 1965–1966
- 1963
- 1960
- 1959
- 1957
- 1956
Writer
Producer
- Alternative name
- George E. Jessel
- Born
- Died
- May 24,1981
- Los Angeles, California, USA(heart attack)
- SpousesLois AndrewsApril 13, 1940 - August 30, 1943 (divorced, 1 child)
- Other worksStage: Appeare in "The Passing Show of 1923" on Broadway. Musical revue. Music bySigmund Romberg andJean Schwartz. Book / lyrics byHarold Atteridge. Musical Director: Alfred Goodman. Additional lyrics byCyrus Wood. Additional music byJay Gorney [earliest Broadway credit]. Scenic Design by Watson Barratt. Costume Design by Paul Arlington. Directed byJames C. Huffman, under the supervision of Jacob J. Shubert. Choreographed byAllan K. Foster. Winter Garden Theatre: 14 Jun 1923-15 Sep 1923 (118 performances). Cast: Martha Albert, Olive Ann Alcorn,Phil Baker [Broadway debut], Betty Benton, Frank Bernard, William Birdie, Dorothy Bruce, Lloyd Byron,Nancy Carroll, Theresa Carroll, Neil Courtney, Roy Cummings, Roy Cunningham, Louise Dose, Doris Downes, Josephine Drake, Loretta Duffy, Christine Ecklund, Dolores Edwards, Flanagan & Morrison, George Ford, Elsie Frank, Perle Germonde, Bob Gilbert, Jeannette Gilmore, Cassie Godfrey, Paula Greenlee, Harriet Gustin, Jack Hall, James Hamilton, Ruth Hamilton, George Hassell, Joan Hay, Helen Herendeen, Andy Jochim,Ethel Kenyon, Olive King, Vera King, Rose Lee, Bobby Lester, Libby & Sparrow, Peggy Lockwood, Ann Lowenworth, Francis X. Mahoney, Gladys Marston, Rose Mary Marston, Elsie May, Ladas May, Bobbie McCree, Belle McLaughlin, Nat Nazarro Jr., Bob Nelson, Sidney Nelson, Tom Nip,Barnett Parker, Edith Pierce, William Pringle, Fay Reed, Jack E. Rice, Vera Ross, Norma Rossiter, Rose Sarro, Muriel Seely, Billie Shaw,Helen Shipman, Orilla Smith, Mildred Soper, Jean Steele, Virginia Sullivan, Marja Talwyn, The Trado Twins, Hal Van Renssalaer, Dorothy Vance, Alice Velour, Viola Votrouba, Billy Wagner, Joseph Wagstaff, James Watts, Dolly Wegman, Alice Wheeler, James White, Florence Wilde,Walter Woolf King (credited as Walter Woolf). Produced by Lee Shubert and J.J. Shubert.
- Publicity listings
- TriviaHaving starred in several silent films for Warner Brothers during the1920s, Jessel was offered the lead in the studio's history-making firsttalkie,Jazu Shingâ (1927) (he had played the part on Broadway). However, he and the studio could not agree on hissalary, and the role ultimately went toAl Jolson. Jessel would refer tothis, time and again, as the biggest professional mistake he evermade.
- QuotesMy draft status is 8-T--that means I go when the Japs are in the lobby.
- TrademarkTheme song: "My Mother's Eyes."
- Nicknames
- Toastmaster General of the United States
- Georgie
FAQ
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- When did George Jessel die?May 24, 1981
- How did George Jessel die?Heart attack
- How old was George Jessel when he died?83 years old
- Where did George Jessel die?Los Angeles, California, USA
- When was George Jessel born?April 3, 1898
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