Born Sam Klusman Lawrence Parks in Olathe, Kansas (grew up in Joliet, IL); educated at the University of Illinois. A former Carnegie Hall usher and bit stage player, he began in the early 1940s what seemed to be a terminal career as a small-time Hollywood actor but shot to sudden fame in 1946 impersonating Al Jolson in THE JOLSON STORY, then in its sequel, JOLSON SINGS AGAIN (1949). His career plummeted as suddenly in the early 50s after he admitted to his past membership in the Communist party before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He was never officially blacklisted, but Columbia terminated his contract and other studios shunned his services. He returned to the screen only twice in character roles, and appeared infrequently on the stage and on TV with his wife, Betty Garrett.    Nominated for Actor 1946: THE JOLSON STORY 1 nomination