The Outrageous Sophie Tucker

Born in 1897, Sophie Tucker was known as "the female Al Jolson", who in her day was popular around the world for her sassy stage performance and early use of sexual innuendo in her show. Bette Midler created an on-stage character that she calls "The Soph", and even named her daughter "Sophie". Tucker was a friend to both J. Edgar Hoover and Al Capone, and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show twice every year until her death in 1964.