Cantor, Eddie

Cantor, Eddie,

1892–1964, American entertainer, b. New York City, originally named Edward Israel Isskowitz. Cantor became one of the best-known theatrical figures of his day. His style was typified by lively footwork, rolling eyes, and an utterly individual singing voice. On stage from 1907 and a Ziegfeld star from 1916, Cantor had numerous movie successes and a series of his own radio and television shows.

Bibliography

See his autobiographical My Life Is in Your Hands (1928) and As I Remember Them (1963).

Cantor, Eddie (b. Isidore Itzkowitz)

(1892–1964) singer; born in New York City. A rolling-eyed actor with a high-pitched singing voice, who often performed in black-face, Cantor appeared in Kid Cabaret (1912) with George Jessel. He worked for Florenz Ziegfeld (1916–28) where he sang his best known songs, including "Making Whoopee." A radio host and movie actor in the 1930s, he helped to found actors' unions and to promote the March of Dimes.