Levi Bluestein

Mr. Edward Joan "Blondell", Jr. was born Levi Bluestein in Poland, approximately in 1865 to Jewish parents. The 1880 Census reports Poland as his birthplace. However, there was tremendous anti-Jewish sentiments running amuck at this time. Many stage actors his their Jewish names and families. Levi lived in the state of Indiana from 1870 - 1880 and later moved to New York where, by 1905, he began using the name "Blondell" according to a 1905 Census where he was listed as an actor.

He was a vaudeville comedian, and the father of actress Joan Blondell. He toured the country for many years starring in a stage version of "The Katzenjammer Kids," based on the popular comic strip. Blondell and his wife, Kathryn "Katie," performed in theaters across the country, accompanied by their young children, Joan, Ed Jr. and Gloria. When her mother took ill, 8-year-old Joan replaced her in the act. When all the children finally joined the act, it was known as "Ed Blondell and Company."

After Joan found success in Hollywood and signed her first contract with Warner Bros., Ed retired from performing, and the entire family moved to North Hollywood. Ed died of testicular cancer on March 27, 1943.