Universal Ramblings

Oscar Levant was a brilliant American solo pianist, an author, a comedian, a gifted composer, a comedian and a wise cracking movie actor. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in December 27, 1906. On the radio, television and in movies, he was famous for his mordant character and the witticism. He was also famous for his music.  After the death of his father, Oscar Levant moved to New York with his mother in 1922. He started there studying under Zygmunt Stojowski who was a piano pedagogue.

In year 1924, he first time appeared with Ben Bernie in a short film “Ben Bernie and All the Lads”, when he was only 17 year. In 1928 he went for Hollywood and there his career took a better turn. He composed the music in more than 20 movies from 1929 to 1948 and during this period he wrote many popular songs. Around year 1932 he started composing seriously and he successfully started a new orchestral work. Oscar Levant married an actress, Barbara Woodell and they divorced in year 1932.

He did second marriage in 1939 to a singer and actress June gale who was the part of the singing foursome “The Gale Sisters”. Until the death of Oscar Levant, they were married for 13 years and they had three children Marcia, Lorna and Amanda. He was so quick witted and popular that he became a regular part on the show in 1930s and 1940s. Oscar Levant was often challenged with the musical questions and he always impressed his audiences with his wise knowledge and quickness with the jokes.

He was always called the “Mr. Levant”. He appeared regularly on the NBC radio’s Kraft Music Hall from 1947 to 1949. During those appearances he became first celebrity who discussed in front of the national audience. Later he became addicted to prescription drugs and he died in August 14, 1972, in Los Angelis, California.