born Feb. 15, 1893, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.
died July 15, 1947, Santa Monica, Calif.
U.S. songwriter.
He began his career as a music publisher's pianist and later established his own music publishing company. After his first Broadway success with "My Mammy," introduced by Al Jolson in Sinbad (1918), he continued writing for Broadway revues for more than 25 years, producing songs such as "My Buddy," "My Blue Heaven," "Carolina in the Morning," "Yes Sir! That's My Baby," and "Makin' Whoopee." He also wrote for many films.