Lillian Roth, born Lillian Rutstein on December 13, 1910, in Boston, Massachusetts, was an American singer and actress whose life story was depicted in the 1955 film "I'll Cry Tomorrow," where Susan Hayward portrayed her and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Her early life was marked by her mother's ambition to make her and her sister Ann stars, leading to their Broadway debut when Roth was just six years old. She attended the Professional Children's School in New York City, where she met future stars like Ruby Keeler and Milton Berle. Her career took off with her Broadway debut in "The Inner Man" in 1917 and her film debut in the documentary "Pershing's Crusaders" in 1918.

Her career flourished in the 1920s and 1930s, with notable performances in Broadway productions like "Earl Carroll's Vanities" and "Midnight Frolics," as well as films such as "The Love Parade" (1929), "The Vagabond King" (1930), and "Animal Crackers" (1930).

She introduced the song "Sing, You Sinners" in the film "Honey" (1930) and was known for her signature tune "When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along." However, her career was marred by personal struggles, including alcoholism and multiple marriages, which led to a decline in her career during the 1930s.

Her autobiography, "I'll Cry Tomorrow," published in 1954, detailed her struggles and was later adapted into a film, bringing her story to a wider audience. Despite her challenges, she made a comeback in the 1950s, performing in nightclubs and returning to Broadway in productions like "I Can Get It for You Wholesale" (1962) and "70 Girls, 70" (1971).

She continued to perform until her death on May 12, 1980, in New York City.