Sophie Tucker, the beloved Russian-born entertainer, was a legend in her own right. She was born Sonya Kalish in Russia in 1884 and emigrated to the United States with her family at just three months old. She grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, where she began performing as a youngster in her parents' small restaurant.
Tucker's early career was marked by her unconventional appearance and irrepressible personality. She was overweight, but she used her humor and racy comedy to win over audiences. She started out in amateur shows, eventually landing a gig on the vaudeville circuit in 1906. Disguised in blackface, she played ragtime music and became a sensation.
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. discovered Tucker and featured her in his Follies shows in 1909. She proved to be a scene-stealer, but her aggressive sexual innuendo and bold costumes made her a polarizing figure. She went on to headline her own shows, developing a unique style that blended humor, music, and sensuality.
Tucker was a pioneer in the recording industry, recording her signature song "Some of These Days" in 1911. She went on to record many other hits, including "After You've Gone," "Cheatin' On Me," and "My Yiddishe Mama." Her success spread to Europe, where she became a major star.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Tucker's career took a new direction. She began to focus on radio and films, but her bawdy image and lack of acting talent limited her success in these mediums. She made her film debut in Honky Tonk in 1929 and went on to appear in several other movies, including Thoroughbreds Don't Cry and Broadway Melody of 1938.
In the 1930s, Tucker brought a wave of burlesque-styled nostalgia to her show, billing herself as "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas." She had a hit Broadway musical comedy with "Leave It to Me" in 1938-1939 and went on to found the Sophie Tucker foundation in 1945.
Tucker continued to perform and make TV appearances throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She remained a beloved figure, especially in London music halls, where she once greeted King George with a cheeky "Hiya, King!" She died at age 82 in 1966, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most iconic and enduring entertainers of her time.
