Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Jewish- American singer, film actor, and comedian. At the peak of his career, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer."His performing style was brash and extroverted, and he popularized a large number of songs that benefited from his "shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach".