Sophie Tucker

Date of Birth: January 13, 1887

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: February 9, 1966

Biography

Sophie Tucker, born as Sofia Kalish, was a Ukrainian-born American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality. Known affectionately as “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” Tucker was one of the most popular entertainers of the early 20th century. She immigrated to the United States with her family when she was a child and began her career in vaudeville before transitioning to Broadway and film. Her bold, brassy style and risqué humor made her a beloved figure in American entertainment. Tucker’s career spanned over six decades, during which she became an influential figure in the music and entertainment industry, paving the way for future female performers.

5 Interesting Facts about Sophie Tucker

1. Sophie Tucker was known for her signature song, “Some of These Days,” which became a staple in her performances.

2. She was one of the first performers to embrace and popularize jazz and ragtime music during the early 20th century.

3. Tucker was a pioneer in breaking racial barriers, often performing with African American artists and advocating for their rights.

4. She was a frequent performer at the Palace Theatre in New York City, a premier venue for vaudeville acts.

5. Tucker’s autobiography, “Some of These Days,” published in 1945, provides a detailed account of her life and career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sophie Tucker

1. “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.”

2. “From birth to age eighteen, a girl needs good parents. From eighteen to thirty-five, she needs good looks. From thirty-five to fifty-five, she needs a good personality. From fifty-five on, she needs good cash.”

3. “Success in show business depends not on your talent, but on your ability to make people believe you have it.”

4. “I’ve been called many names like perfectionist, difficult and obsessive. I think it takes obsession, takes searching for the details for any artist to be good.”

5. “You can’t be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.”