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." ...
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Known For
Paul Anka: His Way
Self
2024
My Way
Self
2024
Vegas: The Story of Sin City
Self - Entertainer · (4 episodes)
2024
Jay Sebring… Cutting to the Truth
Self
2020
Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin
Self
2019
David Foster: Off the Record
Self
2019
The Masked Singer
Broccoli · (2 episodes)
2019
The Masked Singer
Broccoli (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2019
Buddy Holly: Rave On
Self
2017
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Paul Anka · (1 episode)
2016
C'est votre vie
Self
2013
Paul Anka - Live in Switzerland
2013
Paul Anka plays Avo Session
2011
Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon
Self
2011
Svenska Hollywoodfruar
Himself · (4 episodes)
2009
The Memories of Angels
Self (archive footage)
2008
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies
Self
2004
Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel
Self · (2 episodes)
2004
Las Vegas
(3 episodes)
2003
Die ultimative Chartshow
Self · (1 episode)
2003
American Idol
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2002
Star Academy
Self · (2 episodes)
2001
3000 Miles to Graceland
Pit Boss #1
2001
Gilmore Girls
Paul Anka · (1 episode)
2000
Ein Herz für Kinder
Self · (1 episode)
1998
That '70s Show
Paul Anka · (1 episode)
1998
The View
Self · (2 episodes)
1997
Mad Dog Time
Danny Marks
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Shake, Rattle and Rock!
Mr. Lagrange
1994
Ordinary Magic
Joey Dean
1993
Captain Ron
Donaldson
1992
Voices That Care
Self - Choir Member
1991
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster
Nick Angel
1991
Prince of the Hit Parade
Himself
1991
The Simpsons
Paul Anka (voice) · (2 episodes)
1989
Téléthon
Self · (1 episode)
1987
Sacrée soirée
Self · (2 episodes)
1987
Wedden, dat..?
Self · (1 episode)
1986
Goldener Löwe
Self · (1 episode)
1984
Champs-Elysées
Self · (1 episode)
1982
Lily: Sold Out
Self
1981
Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters
Self · (1 episode)
1980
My Way
Himself
1979
Lindsay Wagner: Another Side of Me
1977
Donny & Marie
Self · (1 episode)
1976
Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell
(4 episodes)
1975
Numéro un
Self · (2 episodes)
1975
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self · (2 episodes)
1975
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1974
1974
3 nach 9
Self · (1 episode)
1974
Dinah!
Self · (1 episode)
1974
Kojak
Buddy Maus · (1 episode)
1973
The Midnight Special
Host · (3 episodes)
1972
Midi trente
Self (voice) · (1 episode)
1972
Cadet Rousselle
Self · (1 episode)
1971
Samedi soir
Self · (1 episode)
1971
This Is Tom Jones
Self · (1 episode)
1969
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
Self · (1 episode)
1969
4-3-2-1 Hot and Sweet
Self · (1 episode)
1966
Einer wird gewinnen
(1 episode)
1964
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Singer · (1 episode)
1964
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
Self - Musical Guest · (1 episode)
1963
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (1 episode)
1962
The Longest Day
U.S. Army Ranger
1962
Lonely Boy
Himself
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host · (2 episodes)
1961
The Mike Douglas Show
Self · (4 episodes)
1961
Werner Müllers Schlagermagazin
Self · (1 episode)
1961
Look in Any Window
Craig Fowler
1961
The Private Lives of Adam and Eve
Pinkie Parker
1960
Girls Town
Jimmy Parlow
1959
Let's Rock!
Himself
1958
Kraft Music Hall
Self · (1 episode)
1958
The Dick Clark Show
Self · (10 episodes)
1958
Aktuelle Schaubude
Self · (1 episode)
1957
American Bandstand
Self · (1 episode)
1957
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Self · (1 episode)
1956
What's My Line?
Self - Mystery Guest · (2 episodes)
1950
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self · (9 episodes)
1948