Who Am I? November 2025

I was born in a small town in Tennessee to Russian Jewish parents, Solomon and Anna, who ran a dry goods business. As a child I contracted infantile paralysis but mom constantly massaged my lower limbs using the Sister Kenny method. Mama Anna also pushed me to exercise constantly and I was able to overcome my disability, participate in sports and cheerleading and develop a lifelong love of athletics. Our family moved to Nashville when I was in fifth grade.

After my high school graduation I enrolled at Vanderbilt and earned a degree in sociology there. I ran for and was elected president of my sorority, Άλφα Έψιλον Φι.

I thought I had a pretty decent sounding contralto voice and made my singing debut on WSM radio in Nashville. From Nashville I set out for the Big Apple to audition for orchestras and radio stations. I auditioned for WNEW’s Martin Block who confused my name with the name of the popular song I was singing at my audition. I serendipitously ended up actually changing my stage name to match the song’s title! I am a natural brunette but I made a wise decision in 1942 to become a honey-blonde and I remained that way for the rest of my career.

Eddie Cantor hired me for his radio show and I became a regular on his show for 3 years. I credit Eddie with giving me confidence, showing me the ropes, and teaching me how to connect with an audience. I later appeared with him in a motion picture.

My first recording contract was with RCA Victor, but I later signed with Columbia Records and later on with Capitol Records. I was a Big Band singer who had over 75 hit records and 7 radio shows of my own. In 1941, during that Big Band era, I performed at the Westwood Theater, in Westwood, N.J. During WWII I was happy to be able to entertain U.S. troops with my songs on U.S.O. tours.

I tried my luck in the film industry but I found I wasn’t cut out for it. I felt I was not photogenic enough and I hated waiting around for multiple takes redoing the same scene. On the other hand, I adapted well to the small screen where my warm personality and magnetism endeared me to audiences. I started out doing guest spots on other TV shows in the 1950’s and I was still a presence on TV into the 1990’s.

My formula for living can be expressed thusly: “Forget everything that happened yesterday and live in the present.” I paint as a hobby and my paintings were exhibited at the California Museum of Science and industry. I am also an avid golfer and a supporter and sponsor of an eponymous major golf tournament. Over the years I’ve made 9 gold records, earned 9 Emmys and have not one, but 3 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I counted the Gerald Fords and the Ronald Reagans as my friends.

I think you know me by now. That’s me in the top two photos below. Below my photos is the Westwood Theater where I once performed. Incidentally, that theater opened in 1919 and was operational until around 1950. It was located at 142 Westwood Avenue in Westwood, N.J.

(1a)Who Am I? (1b)What is the English spelling of my college sorority? (1c)In what movie did I appear in with Eddie Cantor? (2a)Name 2 movies in which I played my real self. (2b)Name 2 of the favorite philanthropies I support. (3a)I have 3 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What did I do to earn each one and where exactly is each one located? (3b)The USPS issued a $.44 commemorative stamp in my honor. What was the name of that USPS series of commemorative stamps and name 2 others that were so honored in that series. (4a)I fell in love with my first husband by first watching him on the big screen. What was his name? (4b) Before I actually met my first husband, I saw one of his movies 15 times! What was the title of that movie? (5a)Which car company sponsored my long-running TV variety show and how did I end each program? (5b)Finally, there is a road named after me. What is it called and where is it?