Jack Benny

Golden Globe for Best TV Show Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Benny was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in nearby Waukegan, Illinois.6 He was the son of Meyer Kubelsky and Emma Sachs Kubelsky. His parents were Jewish. Meyer was a saloon owner, and later a haberdasher, who had emigrated to America from Poland. Emma had emigrated from Lithuania. Benny began studying violin, an instrument that became his trademark, at the age of six, his parents hoping for him to become a professional violinist. He loved the instrument, but hated practice. His music teacher was Otto Graham Sr., a neighbor and father of Otto Graham of NFL fame. At 14, Benny was playing in dance bands and his high school orchestra. He was a dreamer and poor at his studies, and was ultimately expelled from high school. He did poorly in business school later, and at attempts to join his fathers business. At age 17, he began playing the violin in local vaudeville theaters for 7.50 a week.11 He was joined by Ned Miller, a young composer and singer, on the circuit.

Source: Wikipedia