Person
James Cagney
New York City, New York, USA
James Francis Cagney, Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American film actor. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of roles, he is best remembered…
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James Francis Cagney, Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American film actor. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of roles, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys". In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time. In his first performing role, Cagney danced dressed as a woman in the chorus line of the 1919 revue Every Sailor. He spent several years in vaudeville as a hoofer and comedian until his first major acting role in 1925. He secured several other roles, receiving good reviews before landing the lead in the 1929 play Penny Arcade. After rave reviews for his acting, Warners signed him for an initial $500 a week, three-week contract to reprise his role; this was quickly extended to a seven year contract. Cagney's seventh film, The Public Enemy, became one of the most influential gangster movies of the period. Notable for its famous grapefruit scene, the film thrust Cagney into the spotlight, making him one of Warners' and Hollywood's biggest stars. In 1938, he received his first Academy Award Best Actor nomination for Angels with Dirty Faces, before winning in 1942 for his portrayal of George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy. He was nominated a third time in 1955 for Love Me or Leave Me. Cagney retired for 20 years in 1961, spending time on his farm before returning for a part in Ragtime mainly to aid his recovery from a stroke. Cagney walked out on Warners several times over his career, each time coming back on improved personal and artistic terms. In 1935, he sued Warners for breach of contract and won; this marked one of the first times an actor had beaten a studio over a contract issue. He worked for an independent film company for a year while the suit was settled, and also established his own production company, Cagney Productions, in 1942 before returning to Warners again four years later. Jack Warner called him "The Professional Againster", in reference to Cagney’s refusal to be pushed around. Cagney also made numerous morale-boosting troop tours before and during World War II, and was President of the Screen Actors Guild for two years.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2022
Becoming Marilyn
Movie (archive footage)
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2021
Parkinson at 50
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2017
This Is Bob Hope...
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2009
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2009
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2008
Warner at War
Movie (archive footage)
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2008
Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2008
You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2006
Legends
TV show Martin Snyder (archive footage) (uncredited)
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2006
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story
Movie Self (archive footage) (voice)
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2005
White Heat: Top of the World
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2005
Beer and Blood: Enemies of the Public
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2005
Angels with Dirty Faces: Whaddya Hear? Whaddya Say?
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2004
Remembering Ragtime
Movie NY Police Commissioner Rheinlander Waldo (archive footage)
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2004
Parkinson
TV show Self - Guest (archive footage)
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2003
Tupac: Resurrection
Movie Self (archival)
More credits
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2003
Complicated Women
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1998
Doris Day: It's Magic
Movie Self
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1997
Vaudeville
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1997
Bogart: The Untold Story
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1992
James Cagney: Top of the World
Movie Self (Archive footage)
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1991
Movie Tough Guys
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1989
I Don't Even Like Apple Pie...
Movie Self (Archive Footage)
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1988
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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1986
Routine Pleasures
Movie Ed "Eddie" Bailey (archive footage)
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1985
That's Dancing!
Movie From 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (archive footage)
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1985
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1984
Terrible Joe Moran
Movie Joe Moran
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1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Movie (archive footage)
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1983
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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1982
Showbiz Goes to War
Movie (archive footage)
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1982
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Movie (in "White Heat") (archive footage)
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1982
Showbiz Ballyhoo
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1982
Night of 100 Stars
Movie Self
- 1981
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1981
Ragtime
Movie New York Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
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1979
Frank Sinatra: The First 40 Years
Movie Self
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1978
The Kennedy Center Honors
TV show Self
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1976
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1976
That's Entertainment, Part II
Movie (archive footage) (uncredited)
