Born Edward Israel Iskowitz to Lower East Side immigrants from Russia and orphaned from early childhood, he began entertaining professionally at 14. After working for a while as a singing waiter in Coney Island, he edged his way to great popularity in vaudeville and burlesque. He got his first big break in The Midnight Frolics (1916), then starred in the Ziegfeld Follies and such Broadway hits as Kid Boots (1926) and Whoopee (1930), playing roles he later repeated in films. He made his film debut in 1926 and enjoyed considerable popularity after the advent of sound. However, most of his film vehicles were of mediocre quality and made little use of his stage presence and inimitable style. During the 30s he starred in his own highly popular radio show. Cantor's rolling "banjo eyes" and unique speech pattern were imitated by Keefe Brasselle in the not-too-successful film biography THE EDDIE CANTOR STORY (1953). Cantor, whose activities were limited after a heart attack in 1952, was honored in 1956 with a special Academy Award "for distinguished service to the film industry." Ida Tobias, his wife for 48 years who was immortalized in the song lyrics "Ida, sweet as apple cider," died in 1962. Cantor wrote four autobiographical volumes, My Life Is in Your Hands (1928), Take My Life (1957), The Way I See It (1959), and As I Remember Them (1962).  Honorary Award 1956: "For distinguished service to the film industry." Winner presented a Statuette. 1 Honorary Award