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James Cagney Biography

Birth Name:James Francis Cagney

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Director, Producer

Fast Facts

He was the chairman of the actor's group of the National Victory Committee during World War II
Ranked No․ 8 among on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Male Legends
He is a former president of the Screen Actors Guild
His first role was as a "chorus girl" in a female-impersonation act
To help his family financially, he dropped out of Columbia University and began working as a waiter and a package wrapper in a department store
With no experience, he entered into the world of vaudeville as a dancer at the age of 19
Quote: "Absorption in things other than self is the secret of a happy life․"
Quote: "One shouldn't aspire to stardom․ One should aspire to doing the job well․"
In 1962, he retired from the screen and was prepared to contently spend the rest of his days on his Massachusetts farm until 1981, when he worked again on doctor's orders that advised him to be more active
Was considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the original 1971 version of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory․"
Even though he proved himself as a skilled street fighter in his youth, he attained a black belt in Judo to improve his believability on screen

Awards

1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1933Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1938NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1938NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1939Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1939NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1942NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1942NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1943Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1943Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
1956Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1961NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1962Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: nominated