26 Facts About Sophie Tucker

Sophie Tucker was known by the nickname "the Last of the Red-Hot Mamas".

In 1903, around the age of 17, Sophie Tucker eloped with Louis Tuck, a beer cart driver, from whom she later derived her professional surname.

However, shortly after Albert was born, the couple separated, and Sophie Tucker left the baby with her family and moved to New York City.

When it failed to bring her work, Sophie Tucker found jobs in cafes and beer gardens, singing for food and tips from the customers.

Sophie Tucker sent most of what she made back home to Connecticut to support her son and family.

In 1907, Sophie Tucker made her first theater appearance, singing at an amateur night in a vaudeville establishment.

Sophie Tucker began integrating "fat girl" humor, which became a common thread in her acts.

Two years later, Sophie Tucker released "Some of These Days" on Edison Records, written by Shelton Brooks.

In 1921, Sophie Tucker hired pianist and songwriter Ted Shapiro as her accompanist and musical director, a position he would keep throughout her career.

Sophie Tucker remained a popular singer through the 1920s and became friends with stars such as Mamie Smith and Ethel Waters, who introduced her to jazz.

Sophie Tucker learned from these women and became one of the early performers to introduce jazz to white vaudeville audiences.

Sophie Tucker re-released her hit song "Some of These Days", backed by Ted Lewis and his band, which stayed at the number 1 position of the charts for five weeks beginning November 23,1926.

In 1938, Sophie Tucker was elected president of the American Federation of Actors, an early actors' trade union.

Sophie Tucker made numerous guest appearances on such programs as The Radio Hall of Fame and The Andrews Sisters' Show: Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch hosted by the Andrews Sisters.

Sophie Tucker remained popular abroad, performing for fanatical crowds in the music halls of London.

Sophie Tucker continued to perform for the rest of her life.

Sophie Tucker appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on October 3,1965.

In 1906 the couple separated, and Sophie Tucker left Albert with her family, supporting them with money from her singing jobs in New York.

Annie and Sophie Tucker had a close relationship and kept in touch with weekly letters.

Sophie Tucker blamed the failure of her marriages on her being too adjusted to economic independence.

Sophie Tucker died of lung cancer and kidney failure on February 9,1966, aged 80, in her Park Avenue apartment.

Sophie Tucker continued working until her death, playing shows at the Latin Quarter just weeks before.

Sophie Tucker is buried in Emanuel Cemetery in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

Sophie Tucker influenced Miami-based radio and television host-cum-singer Peppy Fields, sister of noted pianist Irving Fields, whom Variety and Billboard magazines called the "Sophie Tucker of Miami".

Sophie Tucker made her first recordings in 1910, and Clarice made her final records in 1909.

Clarice had perfected and was known for her subtle narrative talk-singing style that Sophie Tucker later used to her advantage when her vocal range became increasingly limited.