James Cagney American Actor Born 1899 in Manhattan
James Cagney · film actor and character actor · American
Known for
Biography
James Cagney was an American actor born on 17 July 1899 in Manhattan. He died on 30 March 1986, aged 86. Among the titles he was known for are Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) and Show Business at War (1943).
The earliest credit on record for James Cagney is Sinners' Holiday (1930). His filmography here covers 69 films from 1930 to 2004. He took on roles such as C. R. MacNamara in One, Two, Three (1961), William Halsey Jr. in The Gallant Hours (1960) and Captain Flagg in What Price Glory (1952). His last credit during his lifetime is Terrible Joe Moran (1984). His off-screen credits include director on Short Cut to Hell.
In genre terms, the records list western film and gangster film.
Awards on record come to 6 wins and 3 nominations. The earliest win listed is Academy Award for Best Actor in 1943 for Yankee Doodle Dandy. The list of wins runs up to Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984.
Filmography
69 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Imaginary Witness | Film | |
| 1984 | Terrible Joe Moran | Film | |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Film | |
| 1981 | Ragtime | Film | |
| 1975 | Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? | Film | |
| 1968 | Arizona Bushwhackers | Film | |
| 1961 | One, Two, Three | C. R. MacNamara | Film |
| 1960 | The Gallant Hours | William Halsey Jr. | Film |
| 1959 | Shake Hands with the Devil | Film | |
| 1957 | Man of a Thousand Faces | Film | |
| 1957 | Short Cut to Hell | Director | Film |
| 1956 | These Wilder Years | Film | |
| 1956 | Tribute to a Bad Man | Film | |
| 1955 | Love Me or Leave Me | Film | |
| 1955 | Mister Roberts | Film |
Show all 69 credits
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Run for Cover | Film | |
| 1955 | The Seven Little Foys | Film | |
| 1953 | A Lion Is in the Streets | Film | |
| 1952 | What Price Glory | Captain Flagg | Film |
| 1951 | Come Fill the Cup | Film | |
| 1951 | Starlift | Film | |
| 1950 | Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye | Film | |
| 1950 | The West Point Story | Film | |
| 1949 | White Heat | Film | |
| 1948 | The Time of Your Life | Film | |
| 1947 | 13 Rue Madeleine | William J. Donovan | Film |
| 1945 | Blood on the Sun | Nick Condon | Film |
| 1943 | Johnny Come Lately | Film | |
| 1943 | Show Business at War | Film | |
| 1943 | You, John Jones! | Film | |
| 1942 | Captains of the Clouds | Film | |
| 1942 | Yankee Doodle Dandy | George M. Cohan | Film |
| 1941 | The Bride Came C.O.D. | Film | |
| 1941 | The Strawberry Blonde | Film | |
| 1940 | City for Conquest | Film | |
| 1940 | The Fighting 69th | Jerry Plunkett | Film |
| 1940 | Torrid Zone | Film | |
| 1939 | Each Dawn I Die | Film | |
| 1939 | The Oklahoma Kid | Film | |
| 1939 | The Roaring Twenties | Film | |
| 1938 | Angels with Dirty Faces | Film | |
| 1938 | Boy Meets Girl | Film | |
| 1937 | Something to Sing About | Film | |
| 1936 | Ceiling Zero | Film | |
| 1936 | Great Guy | Film | |
| 1935 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Film | |
| 1935 | Devil Dogs of the Air | Film | |
| 1935 | Frisco Kid | Film | |
| 1935 | G Men | Film | |
| 1935 | Mutiny on the Bounty | Figurant | Film |
| 1935 | The Irish in Us | Film | |
| 1934 | He Was Her Man | Film | |
| 1934 | Here Comes the Navy | Film | |
| 1934 | Jimmy the Gent | Film | |
| 1934 | The St. Louis Kid | Film | |
| 1933 | Footlight Parade | Film | |
| 1933 | Hard to Handle | Film | |
| 1933 | Lady Killer | Film | |
| 1933 | Picture Snatcher | Film | |
| 1933 | The Mayor of Hell | Film | |
| 1932 | Taxi! | Film | |
| 1932 | The Crowd Roars | Film | |
| 1932 | Winner Take All | Film | |
| 1931 | Blonde Crazy | Film | |
| 1931 | Smart Money | Film | |
| 1931 | The Millionaire | Film | |
| 1931 | The Public Enemy | Film | |
| 1930 | Sinners' Holiday | Film | |
| 1930 | The Doorway to Hell | Film |
Awards and nominations
6 won, 3 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Won | |
| 1974 | AFI Life Achievement Award | Won | |
| 1943 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Yankee Doodle Dandy | Won |
| Kennedy Center Honors | Won | ||
| SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award | Won | ||
| star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Won | ||
| 1956 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Love Me or Leave Me | Nominated |
| 1943 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Yankee Doodle Dandy | Nominated |
| 1939 | Academy Award for Best Actor | Angels with Dirty Faces | Nominated |
Personal life
Marriages on record are to Frances Cagney (1922 to 1986, ended by death). Education on record includes Stuyvesant High School and Columbia University.
James Cagney Photos
Frequently asked questions
How old was James Cagney at the time of death?
James Cagney died on 30 March 1986 at the age of 86. He was born on 17 July 1899.
What is James Cagney known for?
James Cagney was known for Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) and Show Business at War (1943).
What is James Cagney’s nationality?
James Cagney was American, born in Manhattan.
How tall was James Cagney?
James Cagney was 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall.
Who was James Cagney married to?
James Cagney’s marriages on record are to Frances Cagney (1922 to 1986).
Has James Cagney won any awards?
Yes. 6 awards are on record, including Presidential Medal of Freedom (1984).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q94041), accessed October 2026
- Photo: Warner Bros. Studio (work for hire) · Public domain
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
Corrections and removal requests
If you are the subject of this page or hold rights to its content and would like a correction or removal, please contact us.
Suggest a correction
