Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Biography
Paul Albert Anka (born July 30, 1941) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter and actor. He is best known for his signature hit songs including "Diana", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby". Anka also wrote the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; one of Tom Jones' biggest hits, "She's a Lady"; and the English lyrics to Claude François and Jacques Revaux's music for Frank Sinatra's signature song "My Way", which has been recorded by many, including Elvis Presley. He co-wrote three songs with Michael Jackson: "This Is It" (originally titled "I Never Heard") "Love Never Felt So Good", and "Don't Matter to Me", which became posthumous hits for Jackson in 2009, 2014, and 2018, respectively. Anka was born in Ottawa, Ontario, to Camelia (née Tannis) and Andrew Emile "Andy" Anka Sr., who owned a restaurant called the Locanda. His parents were both of Lebanese descent. His father came to Canada from Bab Tuma, Damascus, Syria, and his mother was an immigrant from Lebanon. His mother died when he was 18. Anka sang with the St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral choir under the direction of Frederick Karam, with whom he studied music theory. He studied piano with Winnifred Rees. He attended Fisher Park High School, where he was part of a vocal trio called the Bobby Soxers. Paul Anka recorded his first single, "I Confess", when he was 14. In 1956, with $100 given to him by his uncle, he went to New York City where he auditioned for Don Costa at ABC Records, singing what was widely believed to be a lovestruck verse he had written to a former babysitter. In an interview with NPR's Terry Gross in 2005, he stated that it was to a girl at his church whom he hardly knew. The resulting song "Diana" brought Anka stardom as it went to No. 1 on the Canadian and US music charts. "Diana" is one of the best selling singles ever by a Canadian recording artist. He followed up with four songs that made it into the Top 20 in 1958, including "It's Time to Cry", which hit No. 4 and "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings", which reached No. 15, making him (at 17) one of the biggest teen idols of the time. He toured Britain, then Australia with Buddy Holly. Anka also wrote "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" – a song written for Holly, which Holly recorded just before he died in 1959. Anka stated shortly afterward: "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" has a tragic irony about it now, but at least it will help look after Buddy Holly's family. I'm giving my composer's royalty to his widow – it's the least I can do." ... Source: Article "Paul Anka" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
85
Gender
Male
Birthday
1941-07-30 (83 years old)
Place of Birth
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Acting

2024

Vegas: The Story of Sin City as Self - Entertainer

2024

My Way as Self

2024

Paul Anka: His Way as Self

2019

The Masked Singer as Broccoli

2019

The Masked Singer as Broccoli (archive footage)

2013

C'est votre vie as Self

2013

Paul Anka - Live in Switzerland as Not available

2011

Paul Anka plays Avo Session as Not available

2009

Svenska Hollywoodfruar as Himself

2008

The Memories of Angels as Self (archive footage)

2003

Las Vegas as Not available

2002

American Idol as Self - Guest

2001

Star Academy as Self

2001

3000 Miles to Graceland as Pit Boss #1

2000

Gilmore Girls as Paul Anka

1998

That '70s Show as Paul Anka

1997

The View as Self

1996

Mad Dog Time as Danny Marks

1994

Shake, Rattle and Rock! as Mr. Lagrange

1993

Ordinary Magic as Joey Dean

1992

Captain Ron as Donaldson

1991

Voices That Care as Self - Choir Member

1991

Prince of the Hit Parade as Himself

1989

The Simpsons as Paul Anka (voice)

1987

Sacrée soirée as Self

1987

Téléthon as Self

1986

Wedden, dat..? as Self

1984

Goldener Löwe as Self

1982

Champs-Elysées as Self

1981

Lily: Sold Out as Self

1979

My Way as Himself

1976

Donny & Marie as Self

1975

Numéro un as Self

1974

3 nach 9 as Self

1974

Dinah! as Self

1973

Kojak as Buddy Maus

1972

Midi trente as Self (voice)

1971

Samedi soir as Self

1971

Cadet Rousselle as Self

1969

This Is Tom Jones as Self

1964

Einer wird gewinnen as Not available

1964

The Hollywood Palace as Self - Singer

1963

Viña del Mar International Song Festival as Self - Musical Guest

1962

The Longest Day as U.S. Army Ranger

1962

Lonely Boy as Himself

1961

The Mike Douglas Show as Self - Co-Host

1961

Look in Any Window as Craig Fowler

1960

The Private Lives of Adam and Eve as Pinkie Parker

1959

Girls Town as Jimmy Parlow

1958

Kraft Music Hall as Self

1958

The Dick Clark Show as Self

1958

Let's Rock! as Himself

1957

American Bandstand as Self

1957

Aktuelle Schaubude as Self

1950

What's My Line? as Self - Mystery Guest
Crew

1973

Jail Bait Songs

1965

Sylvia Theme Song Performance

1962

The Longest Day Additional Music