 Although Ali spoke a number of languages and became a naturalized U.S. citizen , it was reported that Almina acted as his interpreter in the United States and other places , as he did not speak English and was illiterate . Once he had gained some notoriety , Ali took on as his manager Hubert Julian , a former colonel in the Abyssinian Air Force . Although he developed a significant following , even being named Judy Garland 's favorite vaudevillian , Ali " remained more a sideshow curiosity than a true vaudeville headliner " according to at least one source . Nevertheless , at the time of his death in 1937 , Julian commented that Ali had " earned big money in America — $ 1 @,@ 000 a week sometimes . I was building him up here [ in Europe ] and had a Continental tour arranged . " 
 Although Ali spoke a number of languages and became a naturalized U.S. citizen , it was reported that Almina acted as his interpreter in the United States and other places , as he did not speak English and was illiterate . Once he <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> gained some notoriety , Ali took on as his manager Hubert Julian , a former colonel in the Abyssinian Air Force . Although he developed a significant following , even being named Judy Garland <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>favorite vaudevillian , Ali " remained more a sideshow curiosity than a true vaudeville headliner " according to at least one source . Nevertheless , at the time of his death in 1937 , Julian commented that Ali <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> " earned big money in America — $ 1 @,@ 000 a week sometimes . I was building him up here [ in Europe ] and had a Continental tour arranged . " 
Although Ali spoke a number of languages and became a naturalized U.S. citizen , it was reported dat Almina acted as his interpreter in the United States and other places , as he did not speak English and was illiterate . Once he done gained some notoriety , Ali took on as his manager Hubert cj , a former colonel in the Abyssinian Air Force . Although he developed a significant following , even being named Judy Garland  favorite vaudevillian , Ali " remained more a sideshow curiosity den a tru vaudeville headliner " according to at least one source . Nevertheless , at da time of his death in 1937 , Julicjmented that Ali done " earned big money in America — $ 1 @,@ 000 a week sometimes . I was building em up hea [ in Europe ] and had a Continental tour arranged . "