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James Cagney
Bringing explosive energy to gangster films and Oscar-winning dancing to Yankee Doodle Dandy.
The Public Enemy · Yankee Doodle Dandy
- Born
- 17 July 1899
- Birthplace
- New York City, United States
- Died
- 30 March 1986
More people
James Cagney
James Cagney was an American actor and dancer. His streetwise screen persona made him a defining Warner Bros. star, while musical roles revealed the precision behind that physical energy.
Early life
Working family
Grew up in New York and took several jobs to help support his family.
Dance and sport
Learned tap dancing as a boy and took part in amateur boxing.
Career
- 1919–1920s
Stage beginnings
Worked in vaudeville and musical theatre.
- 1930–1931
Hollywood breakthrough
Moved from Broadway to films and became a star in The Public Enemy.
- 1940s–1950s
Leading roles
Alternated crime dramas with musical performances.
- 1961–1981
Retirement and return
Retired after One, Two, Three, then returned in Ragtime.
Selected work
The Public Enemy
Breakthrough gangster performance.
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Oscar-winning portrayal of George M. Cohan.
White Heat
Crime drama centred on Cody Jarrett.
Beyond work
Family
Married dancer Billie Vernon in 1922; they adopted two children.
Farming and painting
Raised cattle and horses and painted for pleasure.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Warner Bros. Studio (work for hire). Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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