Job Actor, dancer
Years active 1919-84
Known for Quintessential "tough guy"; gangsters; rapid-fire speaking voice and a brutally hostile manner
Top Roles Bottom, the Weaver, George M. Cohan, Eddie Bartlett, John Jones, Tom Powers
Top GenresDrama, Comedy, Romance, Crime, Action, Musical
Top TopicsGangsters, True Story (based on), Book-Based
Top Collaborators (Producer), (Producer), (Producer), (Producer)
Shares birthday with Phyllis Diller, Stanley Ridges, Barbara O'Neil  see more..

James Cagney Overview:

Legendary actor, James Cagney, was born James Francis Cagney on Jul 17, 1899 in New York City, NY. Cagney appeared in over 65 film and TV roles. His best known films include The Public Enemy, Blonde Crazy, Angels with Dirty Faces, The Roaring Twenties, The Strawberry Blonde, Yankee Doodle Dandy, White Heat, Love Me or Leave Me and Mister Roberts. Cagney died at the age of 86 on Mar 30, 1986 in Stanfordville, NY and was laid to rest in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, Westchester County, NY.

MINI BIO:

The quintessential "tough guy", Cagney was short, jaunty and aggressive with a much-imitated clock-work tippy-toe strut (probably inherited from his Broadway dancing days), a rasping rapid-fire speaking voice, and a brutally hostile manner. He usually played cocksure, punch-happy characters who rarely bit off more than they could chew, although he could also easily play light comedy. He remains one of the most sharply-defined stars from American cinema's vintage years.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

AUTOBIOGRAPHY:

Cagney's autobiography Cagney by Cagney was published in 1976 and is still available in print and digitally.

HONORS and AWARDS:

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James Cagney was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for Best Actor for Yankee Doodle Dandy (as George M. Cohan) in 1942.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1938Best ActorAngels with Dirty Faces (1938)Rocky SullivanNominated
1942Best ActorYankee Doodle Dandy (1942)George M. CohanWon
1955Best ActorLove Me or Leave Me (1955)Martin SnyderNominated
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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures. In addition, Cagney was immortalized on a US postal stamp in 1999.

James Cagney BlogHub Articles:

James Cagney tries to sell Coke-a-Cola to the Soviets in “One, Two, Three”

By Stephen Reginald on Mar 26, 2024 From Classic Movie Man

James Cagney tries to sell Coke-a-Cola to the Soviets in “One, Two, Three” One, Two, Three (1961) is an American political comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Lilo Pulver, Pamela Tiffin, and Arlene Francis. The screenplay was written by Wi... Read full article


Blonde Crazy (1931) with Joan Blondell and James Cagney

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 18, 2022 From 4 Star Films

From the outset, Blonde Crazy promises to be a midwestern hotel chamber piece. It’s a story of the help: including opportunistic bellboys (James Cagney) and plucky chambermaids (Joan Blondell). He does her a service by nabbing her a job, and in such a world, he probably expects some recompense... Read full article


How Many Films did James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart Star in Together?

By Annmarie Gatti on Apr 20, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

How Many Films did James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart Star in Together? Cagney and Bogart, two very well-dressed but ruthless, gangsters... Read full article


How Many Films did James Cagney and Pat O’Brien Star in Together?

By Annmarie Gatti on Mar 16, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

How Many Films did James Cagney and Pat O’Brien Star in Together? It’s a friendship that’s endured for 55 years. – Pat O’Brien, about his friendship with James Cagney James Cagney and Pat O’Brien were friends for almost 60 years, working together in nume... Read full article


On Blu-ray: James Cagney and Joan Blondell in Busby Berkeley's Footlight Parade (1933)

By KC on Sep 12, 2019 From Classic Movies

All film fans have their cinematic version of comfort food and mine is the musicals of choreographer Busby Berkeley. These busy, bubbly productions full of wit, beauty and excitement are pleasant to have on in the background, but deserving of the most devoted attention. I’m especially fond of ... Read full article


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James Cagney Quotes:

Rocky Sullivan: Who's the leader?
Soapy: I am.
Rocky Sullivan: Come here. Collect that dough, and fast!


Hank Meyers: [reacting to Terry's real name] Thaddeus McGillicuddy?
Rita Wyatt: We like it.
Hank Meyers: Are you kidding, Terry?
Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney: Oh no, absolutely on the level. I'm sorry, Hank - they did it to me when I was asleep.


Rocky Sullivan: Asking questions again, huh? Listen, someday you're gonna stick your nose, and you're gonna get something in it.
Bim: I only thought it was.
Rocky Sullivan: Shut up! Now, look, you don't know anything about this, see? Huh?
Bim: No, no. No, I don't know nothing.
Rocky Sullivan: But you do know what guys get who talk.


read more quotes from James Cagney...



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James Cagney Facts
His electric acting style was a huge influence on future generations of actors. Actors as diverse as Clint Eastwood and Malcolm McDowell point to him as their number one influence to become actors.

Named the #8 greatest Actor on The 50 Greatest Screen Legends List by The American Film Institute

Turned down Stanley Holloway's role as Eliza's father in My Fair Lady (1964).

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