Biography

George Jessel gained fame in vaudeville, where it was not uncommon for him--and other performers, such as Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor--to perform in blackface, and in fact at age 11 Jessel was Cantor's vaudeville partner. Jessel acted in several movies in the '30s and became a respected film producer. He was also a prolific songwriter, and was noted for his renditions of "Sonny Boy" and "My Yiddishe Mama". In his later years he made many guest appearances (always as himself) on radio, in occasional movies and on TV. He was nicknamed "The Toastmaster General" due to his appearances at many testimonial functions and dinners for various celebrities.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bill Takacs <kinephile@aol.com>

Entertainer, composer, songwriter ("My Mother's Eyes"), producer and actor, educated in public schools and a singer (at age nine) with Gus Edwards acts. In 1915 he toured the British Isles, and became known as the "Boy Monologist" in vaudeville by 1917. He appeared in the Broadway productions of "The Shubert Gaieties," "George Jessel's Troubles," "The Jazz Singer," "The War Song," (which he co-authored), "Joseph and His Brethren," and "High Kickers." With Eddie Cantor, he did a vaudeville tour, and eventually became an after-dinner speaker. Joining ASCAP in 1937, his chief musical collaborators included Harry Ruby, 'Ben Oakland', Herb Magidson, Milton Drake, William White, and Roy Turk. His popular-song compositions include "Stop Kicking My Heart Around," "And He'd Say Oo-La-La Wee Wee," "Oh How I Laugh When I Think How I Cried About You," "Roses in December," "You'll Be Reminded of Me," "If I Ever Lost You," "Julie," "Dreamland Rendezvous," and "As Long As I Love."
- IMDb mini biography by: Hup234!