Oscar Levant

Date of Birth: December 27, 1906

Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Death: August 14, 1972

Place of Death: Beverly Hills, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Oscar Levant was an American concert pianist, composer, conductor, author, radio game show panelist, television talk show host, comedian, and actor. His roles included the films Rhapsody in Blue, The Barkleys of Broadway, An American in Paris, and The Band Wagon. Aside from his piano performances, he was well-known for his witticisms and persona.

He was the son of Annie (Radin) and Max Levant, a watchmaker. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. His family was Orthodox. His maternal grandfather was a rabbi who had married his parents.

Oscar was married to actress June Gale, one of the vaudeville Gale Sisters, until his death, with whom he had three children.

Oscar’s paternal grandfather was named Herschel Levant.

Oscar’s paternal grandmother was named Rose.

Oscar’s maternal grandfather was Abraham Israel Radin/Radziuszkanski (the son of Chaim Mortchel Radziuszkansky/Radziuszkanski and Hitta Manasowicz). Chaim was the son of Mortchel Radziuszkansky, who was born in Radsziusk, Poland, and of Dwery Zylberman, who was born in Sejny, Suwalki, Poland. Hitta was born in Sejny, the daughter of David Manasowicz/Manasevsky and Fejga.

Oscar’s maternal grandmother was named Sarah Rose Sinai (the daughter of Alexander Sender Sinai and Freda).

Sources: Genealogy of Oscar Levant – https://www.geni.com

Oscar Levant on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org