Eddie Cantor Biography

Fast Facts

• Helped to sell war bonds during World War I and World War II and was influential in the creation of the March of Dimes
• Was honored with a Life Achievement Award by the Screen Actors Guild in 1963
• Recorded several phonograph records beginning in 1917, which featured both comedy routines and popular contemporary songs
• Started out as a vaudeville actor and had early success when he was hired for "Ziegfield's Midnight Frolics" in 1916
• Was invited to Hollywood by Samuel Goldwyn to appear in the 1929 talkie film "Whoopee․"
• Best known as a comedian, dancer, singer, and actor who wrote the song "Merrily We Roll Along․"
• Is credited with revolutionizing radio by introducing a live audience to the process
• Was a founder and one of the early presidents of the Screen Actors Guild