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James Cagney

Acting Born Jul 17, 1899 Died Mar 30, 1986 New York City, New York, USA 142 credits

Biography

James Cagney was an American film actor born on July 17, 1899, in New York City, New York, USA. He began his performing career in 1919 as a dancer in the chorus line of the revue Every Sailor. Cagney spent several years in vaudeville as a hoofer and comedian before landing his first major acting role in 1925. He received good reviews for his performances and secured a lead role in the 1929 play Penny Arcade. Cagney's acting career led to him being signed by Warners. He is best remembered for playing "tough guys" and was ranked eighth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time by the American Film Institute in 1999.

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Career

Career overview

James Cagney began his performing career in the entertainment industry in 1919, when he danced in the chorus line of the revue Every Sailor. He spent several years in vaudeville as a hoofer and comedian before securing his first major acting role in 1925. Cagney continued to receive good reviews for his performances, eventually landing the lead in the 1929 play Penny Arcade.

Cagney's success in the play led to his signing with Warner Bros. He went on to secure several other roles, receiving praise for his acting abilities. Although specific details about his early film career are not provided, it is known that he is best remembered for playing "tough guys".

Cagney's career spanned many years, with the American Film Institute ranking him eighth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time in 1999. He secured 139 acting credits throughout his career, with his performances receiving widespread acclaim.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Becoming Marilyn
Parkinson at 50
This Is Bob Hope...
1939: Hollywood's Greatest YearHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression
Warner at WarPublic Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster FilmYou Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story
LegendsStardust: The Bette Davis Story
White Heat: Top of the WorldBeer and Blood: Enemies of the PublicAngels with Dirty Faces: Whaddya Hear? Whaddya Say?
Remembering Ragtime
Tupac: ResurrectionComplicated Women
Doris Day: It's Magic
VaudevilleBogart: The Untold Story
James Cagney: Top of the World
Movie Tough Guys
I Don't Even Like Apple Pie...
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Routine Pleasures
That's Dancing!Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
Terrible Joe MoranGoing Hollywood: The '30s
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Dead Men Don't Wear PlaidNight of 100 StarsShowbiz Goes to WarShowbiz Ballyhoo
RagtimeJames Cagney: That Yankee Doodle Dandy
Frank Sinatra: The First 40 Years
The Kennedy Center Honors
Bob Hope's World of ComedyThat's Entertainment, Part IIIt's ShowtimeHooray for Hollywood
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
Dynamite Chicken
Arizona Bushwhackers
Ballad of Smokey the Bear
The Day of the Oath

Full filmography

  • Becoming Marilyn (2022) as (archive footage)
  • Parkinson at 50 (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • This Is Bob Hope... (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year (2009) as Self (archive footage)
  • Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (2009) as Self (archive footage)
  • Warner at War (2008) as (archive footage)
  • Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film (2008) as Self (archive footage)
  • You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story (2008) as Self (archive footage)
  • Legends (2006) as Martin Snyder (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) as Self (archive footage) (voice)
  • White Heat: Top of the World (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Beer and Blood: Enemies of the Public (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Angels with Dirty Faces: Whaddya Hear? Whaddya Say? (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Remembering Ragtime (2004) as NY Police Commissioner Rheinlander Waldo (archive footage)
  • Tupac: Resurrection (2003) as Self (archival)
  • Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • Doris Day: It's Magic (1998) as Self
  • Vaudeville (1997) as Self (archive footage)
  • Bogart: The Untold Story (1997) as Self (archive footage)
  • James Cagney: Top of the World (1992) as Self (Archive footage)
  • Movie Tough Guys (1991) as Self (archive footage)
  • I Don't Even Like Apple Pie... (1989) as Self (Archive Footage)
  • Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Routine Pleasures (1986) as Ed "Eddie" Bailey (archive footage)
  • That's Dancing! (1985) as From 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (archive footage)
  • Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers (1985) as Self (archive footage)
  • Terrible Joe Moran (1984) as Joe Moran
  • Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984) as (archive footage)
  • Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) as (in "White Heat") (archive footage)
  • Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
  • Showbiz Goes to War (1982) as (archive footage)
  • Showbiz Ballyhoo (1982) as Self (archive footage)
  • Ragtime (1981) as New York Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
  • James Cagney: That Yankee Doodle Dandy (1981)
  • Frank Sinatra: The First 40 Years (1979) as Self
  • The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
  • Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
  • That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
  • It's Showtime (1976) as Self (archive footage)
  • Hooray for Hollywood (1976) as Self (archive footage)
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
  • Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television (1975) as (archive footage)
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
  • Dynamite Chicken (1971) as Self (archive footage)
  • Arizona Bushwhackers (1968) as Narrator
  • Ballad of Smokey the Bear (1966) as Narrator (voice)
  • The Day of the Oath (1965) as Narrator
  • The Road to the Wall (1962) as Narrator
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
  • One, Two, Three (1961) as C.R. MacNamara
  • The Gallant Hours (1960) as Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey
  • The Gallant Hours (1960) Producer
  • Shake Hands with the Devil (1959) as Sean Lenihan
  • Never Steal Anything Small (1959) as Jake MacIllaney
  • Short Cut to Hell (1957) as Himself (prologue)
  • Short Cut to Hell (1957) Director
  • Man of a Thousand Faces (1957) as Lon Chaney
  • Tribute to a Bad Man (1956) as Jeremy Rodack
  • The Bob Hope Chevy Show (1956) as Himself
  • These Wilder Years (1956) as Steve Bradford
  • MGM Parade (1955) as self
  • Run for Cover (1955) as Matt Dow
  • Mister Roberts (1955) as Captain Morton
  • Love Me or Leave Me (1955) as Martin Snyder
  • The Seven Little Foys (1955) as George M. Cohan
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • A Lion Is in the Streets (1953) as Hank Martin
  • What Price Glory (1952) as Captain Flagg
  • Come Fill the Cup (1951) as Lew Marsh
  • Starlift (1951) as James Cagney
  • Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as George Bridgeman
  • What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Mystery Guest
  • Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950) as Ralph Cotter
  • The West Point Story (1950) as Elwin Bixby
  • White Heat (1949) as Arthur 'Cody' Jarrett
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self (uncredited)
  • The Time of Your Life (1948) as Joseph
  • 13 Rue Madeleine (1947) as Robert Emmett 'Bob' Sharkey
  • Blow-Ups of 1947 (1947) as Self
  • Okay for Sound (1946) as Tommy Powers (archive footage)
  • Blood on the Sun (1945) as Nick Condon
  • Show-Business at War (1943) as Self
  • Johnny Come Lately (1943) as Tom Richards
  • You, John Jones! (1943) as John Jones
  • The Voice That Thrilled the World (1943) as Self (segment 'Yankee Doodle Dandy') (archive footage)
  • Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) as George M. Cohan
  • Captains of the Clouds (1942) as Brian MacLean
  • Calling All Girls (1942) as Himself (archive footage)
  • Breakdowns of 1941 (1941) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • The Strawberry Blonde (1941) as Biff Grimes
  • The Bride Came C.O.D. (1941) as Steve Collins
  • City for Conquest (1940) as Danny Kenny
  • The Fighting 69th (1940) as Jerry Plunkett
  • Torrid Zone (1940) as Nick Butler
  • Breakdowns of 1940 (1940) as Self
  • The Roaring Twenties (1939) as Eddie Bartlett
  • Each Dawn I Die (1939) as Frank Ross
  • The Oklahoma Kid (1939) as Jim Kincaid
  • Hollywood Hobbies (1939) as Self (uncredited)
  • Breakdowns of 1939 (1939) as Self
  • Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) as Rocky Sullivan
  • Boy Meets Girl (1938) as Robert Law
  • Something to Sing About (1937) as Terry Rooney
  • Breakdowns of 1936 (1936) as Self
  • Ceiling Zero (1936) as Dizzy Davies
  • Great Guy (1936) as Johnny 'Red' Cave
  • Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) as (uncredited)
  • 'G' Men (1935) as ‘Brick' Davis
  • Frisco Kid (1935) as Bat Morgan
  • Devil Dogs of the Air (1935) as Tommy O'Toole
  • The Irish in Us (1935) as Danny O'Hara
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) as Bottom
  • A Dream Comes True (1935) as Himself (uncredited)
  • A Trip Thru a Hollywood Studio (1935) as Himself (uncredited)
  • Things You Never See on the Screen (1935) as Self
  • Screen Snapshots Series 14, No. 8 (1935)
  • Jimmy the Gent (1934) as Jimmy Corrigan
  • The St. Louis Kid (1934) as Eddie Kennedy
  • He Was Her Man (1934) as Flicker Hayes, aka Jerry Allen
  • Screen Snapshots No. 11 (1934) as Himself
  • Here Comes the Navy (1934) as Chesty O'Conner
  • The Hollywood Gad-About (1934) as Self (uncredited)
  • Footlight Parade (1933) as Chester Kent
  • The Mayor of Hell (1933) as Richard 'Patsy' Gargan
  • Picture Snatcher (1933) as Daniel Patrick "Danny" Kean
  • Lady Killer (1933) as Dan
  • Hard to Handle (1933) as Lefty Merrill
  • Taxi! (1932) as Matt Nolan
  • The Crowd Roars (1932) as Joe Greer
  • Winner Take All (1932) as Jim 'Jimmy' Kane
  • The Millionaire (1931) as Schofield
  • The Public Enemy (1931) as Tom Powers
  • Other Men's Women (1931) as Ed 'Eddie' Bailey
  • Smart Money (1931) as Jack
  • Blonde Crazy (1931) as Albert 'Bert' Harris
  • Intimate Interviews: James Cagney (1931) as Himself
  • How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 11: 'Practice Shots' (1931) as Himself
  • Sinners' Holiday (1930) as Harry Delano
  • The Doorway to Hell (1930) as Steve Mileaway
  • The Singing Fool (1928) as Handsy Patron at Blackie Joe's (uncredited)