George Gershwin

Composer

Birthday September 26, 1898

Birth Sign Libra

Birthplace Brooklyn, NY

DEATH DATE Jul 11, 1937 (38)

#46,318 Most Popular

About

Musician famed for hits such as "An American in Paris," "Porgy and Bess," and "Rhapsody in Blue." 

Before Fame

He dropped out of school when he was 15 and became a song plugger for Tin Pan Alley publishing firm Jerome H. Remick and Company.

Trivia

His songs are among the most-covered of all time, with Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Kate Bush, Amy Winehouse, Madonna, and countless others all offering up their versions of his classics.

Family Life

His older brother Ira Gershwin was a frequent collaborator; he worked with George on "Lady Be Good," "Oh, Kay!" and "Of Thee I Sing," which became the first musical comedy to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Associated With

His breakthrough hit was "Swanee" from 1919, written with Irving Caesar and popularized by Al Jolson.