NBC Radio · Public domain

Born Isidore Itzkowitz on New York's Lower East Side, he became one of the biggest stars of vaudeville, Broadway and early film, known for eye-rolling song-and-dance routines that earned him the nickname "Banjo Eyes" and hits including "Makin' Whoopee" and "Ida (Sweet as Apple Cider)." Beyond performing, he helped launch and is credited with naming the March of Dimes, and he received an honorary Academy Award in 1956 for his service to the film industry.