Jerome Kern

About

One of 20th-century America's greatest composers, known for writing "Ol' Man River," "The Way You Look Tonight," and hundreds others.

Before Fame

He attended Barringer High School, known then as Newark High School, where he composed music for its first musical in 1901, which was a minstrel show. He also worked on an amateur production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for the Newark Yacht Club in 1902.

Trivia

He also composed music for silent films, possibly beginning in 1912, but definitely in 1916 for "Gloria's Romance," a 20-part serial.

Family Life

He married Eva Leale on October 25, 1910, and they had one child together.

Associated With

He was associated with various other key librettists, such as Oscar Hammerstein II.