Oscar Levant

Oscar Levant was an American Jewish pianist, composer, author and actor famous both as an interpreter of George Gershwin's music and as a razor-witted personality on radio, television and film. Born to a Jewish family in Pittsburgh, he was one of the most celebrated concert pianists of his day and appeared in films such as An American in Paris. He was also candid about his struggles with mental illness, a rare openness for his era.