Person Biography:
Morris Joseph Lazar, better known as Freddie Stewart, was a talented singer born on March 25, 1925, in New York City. His father, a cantor, played a significant role in his early life. Due to financial constraints, Freddie was forced to drop out of school and work as a clerk to support his family. Despite this challenging start, his musical talents were recognized early on, and he began performing in the Catskills resort area under the stage name Freddie Stewart.
Freddie's career as a tenor vocalist with Clyde McCoy's Orchestra led to his own radio show, "Freddie Stewart Sings," in New York. His unique voice and charming personality caught the attention of Hollywood, and he was encouraged to move west. Freddie's early film appearances included a singing spot in Columbia's She's a Sweetheart (1944) and later, he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
In the late 1940s, Freddie signed with Monogram Pictures and starred in a series of eight musicals, often billed as the "Teenagers." Although the plots were flimsy, the tunefests proved popular as second features and helped Freddie establish himself as a romantic lead. Despite his success, Freddie struggled to find meaningful work after the demise of the series.
In his later years, Freddie continued to perform, fronting his own night club in Miami Beach and singing with various groups. He eventually retired, and his personal life was marked by three divorces. Freddie Stewart passed away on August 15, 2000, in his Southern California home, leaving behind a daughter.
