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James Cagney

Birth Name:
James Francis Cagney
Birth Place:
New York City, New York, United States
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack, Director, Producer
James Cagney

Fast Facts

  • He is a former president of the Screen Actors Guild
  • 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
  • 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․"
  • 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
  • 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․"

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
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