Early Life
Born in Russia to Orthodox Jewish parents, Steppe emigrated from Moscow to the United States through Ellis Island with his family in 1892. Steppe became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1899.
Steppe's father was a tailor. His brother Michael was a vocalist. One of Steppe's brothers was named Harry but it is not known if this was an inspiration for part of Steppe's stage name.
Steppe lived in Newark, New Jersey and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the age of 29, Steppe claimed an exemption from the draft for World War I on the grounds that he supported his widowed mother.
Read more about this topic: Harry Steppe
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