Eddie Cantor

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eddie Cantor
President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office
1933–1935
Preceded byRalph Morgan
Succeeded byRobert Montgomery
Personal details
Born
Isidore Itzkowitz

(1892-01-31)January 31, 1892
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 10, 1964(1964-10-10) (aged 72)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Spouse(s)Ida (Tobias) Cantor (1914–1962; her death; 5 daughters)
OccupationActor, comedian, dancer, singer-songwriter

Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 - October 10, 1964[1]) was an American comedian, singer, actor, songwriter. Familiar to Broadway, radio and early television audiences, this "Apostle of Pep" was regarded almost as a family member by millions because his top-rated radio shows revealed intimate stories and amusing anecdotes about his wife Ida and five daughters. His eye-rolling song-and-dance routines eventually led to his nickname, Banjo Eyes, and in 1933, the artist Frederick J. Garner caricatured Cantor with large round and white eyes resembling the drum-like pot of a banjo. Cantor's eyes became his trademark, often exaggerated in illustrations, and leading to his appearance on Broadway in the musical Banjo Eyes (1941). He was the original singer of 1929 hit song "Makin' Whoopie".

References[change | change source]