The Russian-born Al Jolson was a singer, actor, comedian, and a huge star in America. In the early 20th century, the immensely charismatic Jolson brought excitement and theatrics to song standards while introducing white audiences to jazz and blues. And despite performing in blackface make-up, he protested discrimination on Broadway. He starred in 1927's The Jazz Singer, the first feature film presented as a "talkie," and he was the first singer to entertain soldiers on a World War II GI base. Jolson has influenced everyone from Jackie Wilson and Bing Crosby to David Bowie and Bob Dylan.