Al Jolson
In 1894 after a long journey by boat, the Yoelson's landed at Ellis Island, and continued their journey to Washington DC. A year later, Asa Yoelson changed his name to Al Jolson. In 1897 little Yoelson would lose his mother, shaping the person he was yet to become.
As the years passed, the young Al Jolson, would run away several times, hoping to join his older brother Harry to do street performances. They would try year after year, fail, and try again, until eventually Al Jolson would strike out on his own. By the time, Al Jolson was twenty one years old, the actor was beginning slowly to make a name for himself.
Al Jolson would become one of the greatest stars of the stage, and would signal an end to the silent film industry era, beginning with the first talkie, The Jazz Singer.
This is his story...
