James Cagney

James Cagney was an American actor and dancer who was known for his energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He won acclaim and major awards, including an Academy Award, for his versatile acting.

James Cagney was often typecast as a tough guy or man-child character in films like The Public Enemy, Angels with Dirty Faces, and White Heat. However, he was able to showcase his dancing skills in musicals like Yankee Doodle Dandy, for which he won an Oscar.

Cagney’s first professional acting performance was in 1919 when he danced in the chorus line of a revue while dressed as a woman. He then spent several years in vaudeville as a dancer and comedian before landing his first major acting role in 1925.

Cagney had a contentious relationship with Warner Bros. over the course of his career, walking out on the studio several times before ultimately returning on improved terms. In 1935, he successfully sued the studio for breach of contract, which was a rare victory for an actor at the time.

Cagney’s performance in the influential gangster film The Public Enemy thrust him into the spotlight and made him one of Hollywood’s leading stars. He was also known for his refusal to be pushed around by the studio system, which earned him the nickname ,the Professional Againster, from Warner Bros. executive Jack L. Warner.

In addition to his acting success, Cagney served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild for two years and made numerous USO troop tours before and during World War II. He was also recognized as one of the greatest male stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute.

Cagney retired from acting and dancing in 1961 to spend more time on his farm with his family. He came out of retirement 20 years later for a role in the movie Ragtime, mainly to aid his recovery from a stroke.