PA
Paul Anka
Actor, Composer, Director, Additional CreditsBorn July 30, 1941 (84 years)
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.
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.
Paul Anka Filmography
| 2019 | The Masked Singer (US) (TV Series) · as Broccoli |
| 2013 | |
| 2013 | Paul Anka: Live in Switzerland · as Cast |
| 2011 | |
| 2001 | 3000 Miles to Graceland · as Pit Boss #1 |
| 1999 | ABC 2000: The Millennium · as Cast |
| 1996 | Mad Dog Time · as Danny Marks |
| 1994 | Shake, Rattle and Rock! · as Mr. Lagrange |
| 1994 | Rebel Highway (TV Series) · as Mr. Lagrange |
| 1993 | Ordinary Magic · as Joey Dean |
| 1992 | Captain Ron · as Donaldson |
| 1991 | Technicolormies · as Cast |
| 1991 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster · as Nick Angel |
| 1989 | The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Paul Anka (voice) |
| 1986 | Crime Story (TV Series) · as Anthony 'tony' Dio |
| 1981 | The Fall Guy (TV Series) · as Vic Madison |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Kojak (TV Series) · as Buddy Maus |
| 1972 | The Midnight Special (TV Series) · as Host |
| 1964 | Valentine's Day (TV Series) · as Gerald Larson |
| 1964 | Einer wird gewinnen (TV Series) |
| 1962 | The Longest Day · as U.s. Army Ranger |
| 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 |
| 1953 | Make Room for Daddy (TV Series) · as Paul Pryor |
| 1951 | The Red Skelton Show (TV Series) · as Bonnie Prince Gorgeous |
| 2024 | My Way · as Self |
| 2024 | Vegas: The Story of Sin City (TV Series) · as Self - Entertainer |
| 2021 | Mireille Mathieu - Singen, nur singen · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | Mireille Mathieu - Singen, nur singen! · as Self |
| 2020 | Jay Sebring.... Cutting to the Truth · as Self |
| 2019 | Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin · as Self |
| 2019 | David Foster: Off the Record · as Self |
| 2018 | From the Vaults (TV Series) · as Self - Singer |
| 2017 | Buddy Holly: Rave On · as Self |
| 2016 | Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (TV Series) · as Paul Anka |
| 2016 | Soundbreaking (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2016 | The Great Songwriters (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2014 | The Outrageous Sophie Tucker · as Self |
| 2013 | Muscle Shoals · as Self |
| 2012 | Home & Family (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | Marie (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Larry King Now (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon · as Self |
| 2011 | Piers Morgan Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | The Dr. Oz Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Svenska Hollywoodfruar (TV Series) · as Himself |
| 2008 | La mémoire des anges · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2008 | Stand Up to Cancer · as Self |
| 2005 | Howard Stern on Demand (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | Sinatra: Dark Star · as Self |
| 2004 | George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Paul O'Grady Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | Tout le monde en parle (QC) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The X Factor (TV Series) · as Self - Adviser |
| 2004 | Le grand journal de Canal+ (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | |
| 2004 | Tavis Smiley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | Las Vegas (TV Series) · as Paul Anka |
| 2003 | Comedy Central Roasts (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | La méthode Cauet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Canadian Idol (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | Die ultimative Chartshow (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | American Idol (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Star Academy (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2000 | Gilmore Girls (TV Series) · as Paul Anka |
| 1998 | Tout le monde en parle (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | That '70s Show (TV Series) · as Paul Anka |
| 1998 | E! Mysteries & Scandals (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | The View (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | Life and Times (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1995 | Mr. Payback: An Interactive Movie · as Self |
| 1994 | Extra (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | The Howard Stern Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | |
| 1991 | Voices That Care · as Self - Choir Member |
| 1991 | Prince of the Hit Parade · as Himself |
| 1990 | Bobby's World (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | Inside Edition (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1986 | The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1984 | Brothers (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Champs-Elysees (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1981 | Wetten, dass..? (TV Series) · as Self - Musician |
| 1981 | Lily: Sold Out · as Self |
| 1981 | An Evening At the Improv (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 1980 | Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | Solid Gold (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Host |
| 1980 | The First 40 Years · as Self |
| 1977 | American Bandstand's 25th Anniversary · as Self |
| 1977 | Sha Na Na (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Donny & Marie (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | 3nach9 (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | Dinah! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | Parkinson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1970 | All My Children (TV Series) · as Paul Anka |
| 1969 | Hee Haw (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | The Music Scene (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1969 | This is Tom Jones (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | ZDF Hitparade (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1968 | 60 Minutes (TV Series) · as Self - Actor (segment "what Makes Bobby Run?") |
| 1968 | The Morecambe and Wise Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | The Phil Donahue Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | Kraft Music Hall (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | Personality (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | Snap Judgement (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1966 | W5 (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1966 | The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1965 | The Dean Martin Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1965 | The Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1965 | Hullabaloo! (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 1964 | Der goldene Schuß (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1964 | The Hollywood Palace (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1964 | Top of the Pops (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1963 | Lonely Boy · as Himself |
| 1963 | Missing Links (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1963 | Telescope (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1963 | Festival de Viña del Mar (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1962 | The Match Game (TV Series) · as Self - Team Captain |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | Jackie Gleason and his American Scene Magazine (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1961 | Password (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1960 | Here's Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1959 | Juke Box Jury (TV Series) · as Self - Panellist |
| 1958 | Let's Rock · as Himself |
| 1958 | The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1956 | The Price Is Right (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1956 | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1955 | Tonight at the London Palladium (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1955 | This is Your Life (UK) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | American Bandstand (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | I've Got a Secret (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Star |
| 1951 | Festival di Sanremo (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1950 | What's My Line? (TV Series) · as Self - Mystery Guest |
| 1948 | The Perry Como Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1985 | George and the Christmas Star · as Songs |
| 1972 | Jail Bait · as Songs |
| 1965 | Sylvia · as Theme Song Performance |