For his film work he wrote and recorded one of his greatest hits " Lonely Boy". In the 1960s, Anka began acting in motion pictures as well as writing songs for them, most notably the theme for the hit film The Longest Day (which also was the official march of the Canadian Airborne Regiment), in which he made a cameo appearance as a US Army Ranger. Anka wrote the English lyrics to " My Way", Frank Sinatra's signature song (originally the French song "Comme d'habitude"). He wrote " Teddy" – a Top 20 hit for Connie Francis in 1960. Paul Anka's talent included the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (reworked in 1962 from a song Anka wrote earlier called "Toot Sweet" it had been rewritten with lyrics and recorded by Annette Funicello in 1959 as "It's Really Love"). I'm giving my composer's royalty to his widow – it's the least I can do. "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" has a tragic irony about it now, but at least it will help look after Buddy Holly's family. Anka also wrote " It Doesn't Matter Anymore" – a song written for Holly, which Holly recorded just before he died in 1959. He toured Britain, then Australia with Buddy Holly. He followed up with four songs that made it into the Top 20 in 1958, including "It's Time to Cry", which hit No. 4 and "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings", which reached No. 15, making him (at 17) one of the biggest teen idols of the time. "Diana" is one of the best selling singles ever by a Canadian recording artist. The song " Diana" brought Anka stardom as it went to No. 1 on the Canadian and US music charts. In an interview with NPR's Terry Gross in 2005, he stated that it was to a girl at his church whom he hardly knew. In 1956, with $100 given to him by his uncle, he went to New York City where he auditioned for Don Costa at ABC Records, singing what was widely believed to be a lovestruck verse he had written to a former babysitter. Paul Anka recorded his first single, "I Confess", when he was 14. Paul Anka at Gröna Lund in Stockholm, 1959 He attended Fisher Park High School, where he was part of a vocal trio called the Bobby Soxers. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral choir under the direction of Frederick Karam, with whom he studied music theory. His father came to America from Bab Tuma, Damascus, Syria, and his mother was an immigrant from Lebanon. His parents were both of Lebanese Christian descent. 5 Other film and television appearancesĪnka was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to Camelia (née Tannis) and Andrew Emile "Andy" Anka Sr., who owned a restaurant called the Locanda.In addition to Ethan, Anka also has five daughters - Amelia, Anthea, Alicia, Amanda and Alexandra. This is the third marriage for the "Diana" singer, who met Pemberton at a friend's wedding. Our beautiful and delicious wedding cake! #ankawedding2016 #paulankatour flowers by event planning by photo posted by Paul Anka on at 1:05pm PDT What a magical day! #ankawedding2016 #ankawedding #paulankatour flowers by event planning by photo posted by Paul Anka on at 9:07pm PDT What a magical day!" he captioned another pic, before sharing a shot of their beautiful wedding cake. Yesterday I married an incredible woman.the love of my life!! Thanks to all those who shared this special day with me! #ankawedding2016 #ankawedding flowers by event planning by photo posted by Paul Anka on at 6:32pm PDT "Thanks to all those who shared this special day with me! #ankawedding2016." "Yesterday I married an incredible woman.the love of my life!!" he wrote alongside a snap of himself and his bride at the altar. Anka couldn't help but boast about the big event on Instagram the next day.