George Albert Jessel (1898 - 1981)

Born 3 Apr 1898 in Bronx, New York, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Florence (Grismer) Mayehoff — married 12 Sep 1919 (to 24 Oct 1932) in Manhattan, New York, USA

Died 24 May 1981 at age 83 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

George Jessel is Notable.

"The human brain is a wonderful organ. It starts to work as soon as you are born and doesn't stop until you get up to deliver a speech." George Jessel^[1]

George Albert Jessel was an actor, singer, comedian, author, playwright, movie producer, political campaigner, radio and TV performer, and "Toastmaster General of the United States." He developed a rapid-fire monologue, told humorous stories and anecdotes, and had a way of singing sentimental and patriotic songs that pulled at the "heart strings." His career spanned seven decades. Although his career had it's high spots and low, George adapted with the times, and the changes in entertainment media.

Early on he sang at the nickelodeon, "talked" movies,^[2] was part of a singing group with Eddie Cantor. He performed in Vaudeville. One of well known skits, was called "Phone Call to Momma." In it he had a one-sided conversation with his mother about all her fancied woes.

Jessel: so you got a letter from Cousin Milford?

Pause:

Jessel: What? He's been in the Army three months and he's already a brigadier general. Read the letter again Ma.

Pause:

Jessel: Oh, it says he's generally in the brig.^[3]

Probably his greatest success was the 1925 production of the play "The Jazz Singer." He lost the movie role to Al Jolson, because of a disagreement with the studio, over the ending.

In addition to Vaudeville, George has many film and TV credits listed at IMDB, the Internet Movie Data Base, and Broadway Credits listed at the Internet Broadway Database.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Harry Truman and three other presidents^[4] named George Jessel "Toastmaster General of the United States" for his hundreds of "after-dinner speeches in support of political, humanist, and social causes."^[5] George Jessel fervently supported Jewish and Israeli causes. He was the vice president of the Jewish Theater Guild; received the Man of the Year Award of the Beverley Hills B'nai B'rith in 1975. The Air Force made him an honorary member in 1952, and in 1969, he was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences."^[5]

In addition to his other talents, Jessel wrote several books including "Talking to Mother" (which highlighted his comic telephone conversations with his mother); "We Have With Us Tonight" (after dinner speeches); "The Toastmaster General's Favorite Jokes: Openings and Closings for Speechmakers"; "So Help Me" (his autobiography); "The World I Lived In"; "You Too Can Make a Speech" (authored with other notable speech makers); and "Jessel Anyone?". [Sources Jessel's Career: ^[6][5][7]]

Birth & Early Life

George Albert Jessel was born in the Bronx, on April 3, 1898.^{[8][9][10][11][12]} He was the son of Joseph Aaron Jessel and Charlotte (Schwartz) Jessel.^[12]

George, who was sometimes called Georgie, grew up in Manhattan, New York.^[13][14] His father, Joseph, was a salesman, but had attempted a career as a playwright and failed. He told his son, "You will never be an actor as long as I live." Mr. Jessel, who was about 25 years older than his wife, died when George was 8 years old, and George Jessel soon began his career "standing in the aisle of a nickelodeon and singing while the reels were being changed."^[15]

George, had a much younger brother, Edward, who was born about 1906 and died in 1908. George and his mother, "Lottie," lived for a time with his Schwartz grandparents, Simon and Carolina.^[14]

Marriages

George Jessel married four times to three different women. Each marriage ended in divorce. He said later in life, "If I do get a little bit lonely at night I light a cigar, pour myself a glass of sherry and think how beautiful my wives were."^[6]

First & Second Marriage

George's first marriage, at age 21, was to Florence J. Grismer, September 12, 1919, in Manhattan, New York, New York, United States. Florence was one half of the vaudeville act known as the Courtney Sisters. Florence, age 24, had been married and divorced from Mike Bernard, another vaudeville entertainer, in the previous couple of years. She was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, daughter of Carey Willington Grismer and Katherine (Chussler) Grismer.^[16]

Their first marriage was "up again, down again": married in 1919; Florence was suing for divorce January 20, 1921;^[17] changed her mind by February 4, 1921, but declared she and her sister were returning to vaudeville anyway;^[18] separated again and divorced before they remarried in May 1923. The couple remarried in Chicago, Illinois, May 22, 1923.^[19][20][21]

They remained married until 1932, when George fell for actress Norma Talmadge, also married. Mrs. Florence Jessel went to Reno to procure a divorce. Headlines said: "Wife of Actor to Act 'for Sake of Husband's Happiness." She was stepping aside so that he could marry Talmadge.^[22] They were divorced October 24, 1932, in Reno, Nevada. The uncontested divorce decree was granted due to complaints of cruelty. ^[20]

Third Marriage

George's second wife was the beautiful, silent film star, Norma Talmadge. Norma married film producer Joseph M. Schenck in 1916. They separated about 10 years later,^[23] but were not divorced until Sept 14, 1934.^[24] The romance between George and Norma, frequently denied by themselves, was the frequent topic of gossip and printed articles, before either of them were divorced. Two weeks after Norma's divorce she and George were married. On April 23, 1934, the couple were married in George's suite at the Ambassador Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The totally unannounced ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Atlantic City, Harry Bacharach.^[25] Five years later, August 11, 1939, Norma was granted a divorce from Jessel in Juarez, Mexico, on grounds of incompatibility.^[26]

Fourth Marriage

George's fourth marriage, April 13, 1940, was to a 16 year old show girl, Lois Andrews. The couple had only known each other about two months.^[27] Lois was born Kathleen Lorraine Gourley,^[28] March 24, 1924, in Los Angeles,^[29] daughter of Geraldine (Heilett) Gourley and George Clive Gourley. The Andrews-Jessel divorce became finalized in Los Angeles, Aug. 31, 1943. Jessel agreed to pay his wife $100 per week for life, as long as she didn't remarry and $50 per week child support for their 20 month old daughter Jerilynn.^[30]

Children

Daughter of Jessel and wife, Lois Andrews.

Jerilynn Jessel, ^[31]

Daughter of Jessel and actress Joan Tyler. Joan and Jessel were engaged to be married, briefly, in 1956.

Charis Carla Jessel, Jessel admitted his fatherhood, ending a paternity suit on August 17, 1963.^[32]

Death & Burial

George Jessel died due to a heart attack, May 24, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center. He was 83.^{[8][9][15][33]}

Jessel's body was laid to rest at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California.^[34][35] Services were attended by about 300 mourners, many of them well known entertainers.^[36]

Look, Listen & Watch

• George Jessel on 'I've Got a Secret' at You Tube about 7 1/2 minutes.
• George Jessel - My Mother's Eyes 1929 at You tube 2:22 This Song Peaked On US Music Charts At #8 In 1929. Lyrics: L. Wolfe Gilbert & Abel Baer From 'Lucky Boy'
• The Mike Wallace Interview George Jessel (about 30 minutes complete with cigarette advertising) 9/14/57 Harry Ransom Center The University of Texas at Austin.
• Jessel at the Truman inauguration 1949
• Photo of George in his later years

Sources

1. ↑ Brainy Quote by George Jessel
2. ↑ "About George Jessel." Boston Herald (Boston, MA) Sunday, November 2, 1919. p 34
3. ↑ From the movie "Stage Door Canteen", 1943.
4. ↑ "Hope and Berle pay Tribute to Jessel." San Diego Union (San Diego, CA) Tuesday, May 26, 1981 p. 3
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} George Jessel Facts at Yourdictionary.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Hansen, Harry. "The First Reader." Quoting from Jessel's book "So Help Me." Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, NC) Friday, May 21, 1943 p.6
7. ↑ "Win or Lose George Jessel always Lives." The Evening Independent - Oct 25, 1971 p 11. at Google News
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} United States Social Security Death Index, index, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Jessel, May 1981; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} California Death Index, 1940-1997, index, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Albert Jessel, 24 May 1981; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
10. ↑ United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Jessel, 1916; citing Passport Application, Massachusetts, United States, source certificate #27262, Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925, Roll 311, NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
11. ↑ United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Albert Jessel, 1917-1918; citing New York City no 12, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,753,995.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909, index, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Albert Jessel, 03 Apr 1898; citing Birth, Bronx, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm .
13. ↑ 1900 US Census; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1154; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0840; FHL microfilm: 1241118 United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} 1910 US Census United States Census, 1910, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George A Jessel in household of Simon Schwartz, Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 492, sheet 4B, family 57, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,033.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} The New York Times, obituary for George Jessel, (accessed May 5, 2015).
16. ↑ New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1866-1938, index, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George A Jessel and Florence J Grismer, 12 Sep 1919; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm .
17. ↑ "Stars and Starmakers." Oregonian (Portland, OR). Thursday, January 20, 1921 Volume: LIX Issue: 18770 Page: 8
18. ↑ "Miss Courtney Reconsiders." Seattle Daily Times (Seattle, WA) Friday, February 4, 1921 Page: 13;
19. ↑ Cook County, Illinois Marriage Indexes, 1912-1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} "George Jessel, Actor, is Divorced by Wife." Register-Republic (Rockford, IL). Tuesday, October 25, 1932 Page: 2 . Dateline: Reno Nev Oct 24.
21. ↑ The Grand Forks Herald of Grand Forks, North Dakota reported the following on Sept 27, 1922 {Volume: XLI Issue: 284 Page: One}: "Show Couple Remarried." St. Paul, Sept 26. George Jessel, appearing with his own company at a local vaudeville theater this week, was married last Tuesday {the 19th} in Minneapolis to his former wife, Florence Courtney, a member of his show, it was announced here tonight. The couple had separated more than a year ago and some time later a decree of divorce was granted." This was a year before their recorded remarriage. A Gag?
22. ↑ "Mrs. Jessel Seeks Divorce in Reno." Boston Herald (Boston, MA). Sunday, August 28, 1932, Page: 4
23. ↑ Stuff Nobody Cares About, Classic Hollywood #28. Norma Talmadge.
24. ↑ "Norma Talmadge is Given Divorce in Juarez Courts." The Dallas Morning News. (Dallas, TX) Sunday, April 15, 1934. Section: I Page: One
25. ↑ "Jessel Marries Norma Talmadge." The Boston Herald (Boston, MA). Tuesday, April 24, 1934. pg 1.
26. ↑ "Norma Talmadge has Divorce From Jessel." The Canton Repository. Saturday, August 12, 1939, p.3
27. ↑ "Jessel and Lois Andrews wedded." Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield, IL) Sunday, April 14, 1940. Page: 16
28. ↑ "Chatterbox." Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX) Friday, January 7, 1944. Section: I Page: Eight
29. ↑ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLGQ-XZZ : accessed 9 May 2015), Kathleen L Gourley, 24 Mar 1924; citing Los Angeles, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
30. ↑ Associated Press. "Actress given final decree from Jessel." The Canton Repository (Canton, OH). Tuesday, August 31, 1943. Page: 3
31. ↑ The Sacramento Bee Wednesday, October 22, 1941 Page: 1
32. ↑ Associated Press. "Actress' daughter is His, Jessel Admits." The Evening Star (Washington (DC). Saturday, August 17, 1963. Page: 23
33. ↑ United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Jessel, Pennsylvania, United States, 26 May 1981; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing Philadelphia Inquirer, The, born-digital text.
34. ↑ Find A Grave, memorial # 547 for George Jessel, (accessed May 5, 2015), includes photo.
35. ↑ Seeing-stars.com Photo of the plaque on Georges vault.
36. ↑ "Jessel's Funeral Draws Old Guard." Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA). Thursday, May 28, 1981 (Section: D Page: 3)

• Wikipedia:George_Jessel_(actor)

See also:

• Florida, State Census, 1935, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), Mr. George Jessel, , Palm Beach, Florida; citing line 27, State Archives, Tallahassee; FHL microfilm 2,425,168. George Jessel 36 years old actor and wife Norma, 38 years old retired, two servants, lived in Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida
• [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZQ3-KDF California, Los Angeles Passenger Lists, 1907-1948," index and images, FamilySearch. accessed 5 May 2015, George Jessel, 1933; citing Immigration, ship name Santa Lucia, NARA microfilm publication M1764 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 45; FHL microfilm 1,734,649. George Jessel traveled to Santa Lucia in 1933.
• There are many "immigration" type records at family search, for George, indicating that he left the United States, to travel to foreign places frequently.
• United States Census, 1940, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 5 May 2015), George Jessel, Ward 2, Detroit, Detroit City, Wayne, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 84-72, sheet 81B, family , NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 1841. George Jessel, age 41, divorced, a guest at the Cadillac Hotel in Ward 2, Detroit, Detroit City, Wayne, Michigan, United. Census taken April 8, a few days before his third wedding.