Paul Anka

Birthday: 30 July 1941, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Birth Name: Paul Albert Anka

Height: 168 cm

Canadian-born Paul Anka first achieved success in the 1950s as a teenage singing star (and, for the times, an unusual one in that he wrote many of his own songs). Although he appeared in several films, and was quite believable as a nervous, hyper young soldier in The Longest Day (1962) (for which he also composed the theme music), Anka's main interest was music, and he concentrated his efforts into composing (he wrote lyrics for Frank Sinatra's classic "My Way") and nightclub appearances in Las Vegas. Show less «

[on the effect of exploring rhythm and rhyme in the classics] People always respect Shakespeare, and...Show more »

[on the effect of exploring rhythm and rhyme in the classics] People always respect Shakespeare, and the play's the thing. I stayed very viable as a writer, and my cred stayed very real. It separated me from all those other kids I grew up with. Show less «

[on Justin Bieber's dealing with early celebrity] You've gotta realize, none of us were born sophist...Show more »

[on Justin Bieber's dealing with early celebrity] You've gotta realize, none of us were born sophisticated. You get lucky at a young age, you have a God-given talent, and you're crawling and absolutely moaning and learning as you take that voyage in life. C'mon. You can't tell a kid who just got a cheque for $150 million. I don't care how smart he is. Show less «

[as a youngster, performing between exotic dance numbers] I used to hang out in the dressing room an...Show more »

[as a youngster, performing between exotic dance numbers] I used to hang out in the dressing room and dig holes in the walls with the pocket knife I carried around with me so I could ogle the girls. Show less «

I harken back to Sinatra. He said, 'Kid, I always get excited about putting a record out and having ...Show more »

I harken back to Sinatra. He said, 'Kid, I always get excited about putting a record out and having a hit'. And I absolutely subscribe to that. In my mind, I haven't put my flag in the mountain. I do it to stay healthy and to stay aware and I don't want to ever just sit back. It's a great life. It's a great occupation. I just want to stay on this journey. Show less «

I had this talent for these stupid little teenage songs.

There's been a lot of songs, a lot of notes, but there was nothing like writing for Ol' Blue Eyes.

[in his seventies, post-'Rat Pack'] I subscribed to the fact that what I did back then could come ba...Show more »

[in his seventies, post-'Rat Pack'] I subscribed to the fact that what I did back then could come back and haunt me. So I eat a certain way, I exercise, I don't drink heavy liquor, I don't smoke, I rest my voice. Little things that help me overpunch my weight. Show less «

[on Frank Sinatra's unpredictable personality] If you went to dinner with Frank, you took your passp...Show more »

[on Frank Sinatra's unpredictable personality] If you went to dinner with Frank, you took your passport. Show less «

The worst thing you can do is predicate your life on making money and then saying 'I'm quitting', be...Show more »

The worst thing you can do is predicate your life on making money and then saying 'I'm quitting', because then you die. You stand still. They throw dirt on you. Show less «

Paul Anka

Paul Anka's FILMOGRAPHY

Paul Anka'S roles

Feedback about this page?