Eddie Cantor profile picture

Eddie Cantor

Banjo Eyes

About Me

Eddie Cantor, born Edward Israel "Izzy" Izkowitz in 1892, was a phenomenal star of radio, stage, screen, and later television in the first half of the twentieth century and a survivor of the Wall Street crash of 1929. Throughout his career, he authored several books including Between the Acts, Caught Short: A Saga of Wailing Wall Street, Yoo Hoo Prosperity, The Way I See It and more.He was a humanitarian who created the March of Dimes with FDR and gave to countless causes here and abroad.Married to his wife Ida for forty-eight years, they had five daughters together. Two survive today, including NY-based songwriter/composer, Janet Cantor Gari.It was said that Eddie was the biggest star but now the most forgotten.He died at the age of seventy-two, but his motto lives on, "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."For more information, visit www.libranpoet.com/eddie_cantor.htm or the official Eddie Cantor website, www.eddiecantor.com...

My Interests

Spending time with his family, his wife Ida and their five daughters, his grandchildren, performing and helping his fellow man. Eddie received several citations for his charitable work.

I'd like to meet:

Perhaps the members of his appreciation society and his newer crop of fans. The first president of his fan club, Sheila Rogers Engelberg, is now joined with him.

Movies:

Eddie was first a Broadway sensation with the Gus Edward's Kid Kabaret. His foray into films came with the silents, Kid Boots, Special Delivery, and a skit in Glorifying the American Girl. Eddie was a big star for Samuel Goldwyn in the 1930s, beginning with the two-strip color wonder, Whoopee!, taken from Florenz Ziegfeld's 1928 Broadway hit, Palmy Days, The Kid from Spain, Roman Scandals, Kid Millions, Strike Me Pink. For Fox he made, Ali Baba Goes to Town. Films in the 40s included If You Knew Susie, Hollywood Canteen and Show Business. In 1953, a mediocre biopic called The Eddie Cantor Story was released.Eddie joked that he liked the films of Claudette Colbert, Hedy Lamar, and Dorothy Lamour. He also took his grandson, Brian Gari to see Three Stooges movies.

Television:

Eddie Cantor was a regular host for The Colgate Comedy Hour that featured guests like Joel Grey and Eddie Fisher, Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore.

Books:

Eddie wrote several books over his career including, Yoohoo Prosperity, Caught Short: A Saga of Wailing Wall Street, Between the Acts, The Way I See It, and Take My Life.

Heroes:

His Grandma Esther.

My Blog

Eddie Cantor Society Loses Another Friend, Russ Chase

Eighty-two year old Russ Chase, one of the first and dearest friends of The Eddie Cantor Appreciation Society, expired yesterday. He was in the hospital with a brief illness. He will be particularly m...
Posted by Eddie Cantor on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:37:00 PST

The ECAS Loses a Lovely Friend

Friends, I wanted to share with you that a dear and wonderful part of the Eddie Cantor Society has passed on yesterday. Ida Linden was a devoted member and participator from day one, partaking in the ...
Posted by Eddie Cantor on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:13:00 PST

Become a member of The Eddie Cantor Appreciation Society!

Hello Dear Friends, I just want to let you know how much I appreciate you. I know you often express your love and devotion for me, and for that, I'm grateful. How would you like to join the Eddie Cant...
Posted by Eddie Cantor on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 04:30:00 PST

An Event in NYC in honor of me!

Joe Franklin & Steve Garrin proudly present ~Rick Rogers as Eddie Cantor with the Vince Giordano Trio~ Performing Two Sets of Cantor Hits! With Special Guests:Janet Gari (Eddie's daughter)Bri...
Posted by Eddie Cantor on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 10:59:00 PST

Bert n' Eddie Show Review

Bert n Eddie: A Wonderful Show and An Extraordinary Friendship By Michelle E. Malik   My fascination with Bert Williams goes back nearly as far as my love affair with Eddie Cantor, and I mean th...
Posted by Eddie Cantor on Wed, 01 Feb 2006 10:52:00 PST