George Jessel (1898-1981) was a screen, stage, radio, and television actor and comedian. He was also a film director, composer, and screenwriter.

George Jessel was born in New York City on April 3, 1898, the son of Joseph Jessel, a playwright, and Charlotte Schwartz. As a child he sang at his grandfather's lodge meetings, and when his father became ill he left school to sing on the streets for money. His first professional work (1909) was as one of the members of the Imperial Trio who provided singing accompaniment to silent films in a Nickelodeon.

In 1910 Jessel became a part of Gus Edwards' "Boys and Girls," a popular vaudeville touring show. He left Edwards in 1914 to form his own act with Lou Edwards, "Two Patches from a Crazy Quilt." This act took him to London, where he toured for several years and also appeared at the prestigious Victoria Palace. Upon his...