Exhibits: Irish American Hall of History

James Cagney

1899 - 1986

Film, Song & Dance

James Cagney was a true American icon. His essential integrity illuminated and deepened even the most depraved characters that he would portray. Although he generally played the quintessential bad guy he was still a song and dance man and effective at light comedy. He got his start in Vaudeville before getting parts in Broadway shows in the 1920s. After going to Hollywood he played in a few films before his famous role in The Public Enemy. He was typecast throughout the 1930s as the tough guy but was able to get more diverse roles in the 1940s. He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of fellow Irish-American George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy in 1942. He made over 60 films before retiring between 1961-1981. In 1981 he returned in the film Ragtime.

External Links

• James Cagney - a fan site
• James Cagney - One of a Kind
• James Cagney - Wikipedia