Frank Gorshin's James Cagney Impression at the AFI Life Achievement Award

Frank Gorshin does his impression of James Cagney at the 2nd AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To James Cagney (1974).
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[@stevenfrasier5718]

Frank Gorshin knew how to "gift-wrap" his impressions, which put him above all other impressionists.

[@AK-Drakoin]

How do you mean? I’ve never heard it put like that

[@stevenslovinski6311]

A comedic genius and all around nice guy. Got the pleasure to talk to him when I worked in Atlantic City in the 1990's. Always took the time to say hello to his fans.

[@drumsport]

Nobody will ever touch Frank Gorshin. First of all, there are no younger stars today worth emulating, and second, the kids today will never put down their cell phones and Play Stations to practice anything worth while. RIP Frank...you were superb!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

You're absolutely right. I put today's stars in three categories: Boring, mumbling theater students, popstars, and stunt men. I won't say there are no talents: Adam Driver and Tom Hardy are excellent. However, nobody, NOBODY around has Star quality anymore.

[@danicegewiss862]

Old quote... opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one.

[@turkishjanitor3666]

Ironic, beacuse you're commenting this under a video of Gorshin doing *Cagney* . You know, an actor who basically nobody does an impression of

[@michaelfontanelli2450]

RIP to TWO legends, Cagney and Gorshin. I’ve never seen Frank’s Allen Jenkins or Frank McHugh impressions. Wish I could.

[@scorpius6667]

He only said three words ....."You Dirty Rat"............but the facial expressions were all Cagney! It was hilarious! Gorshin was one of the best imitators of his time!🦂

[@jamesfeldman4234]

I wouldn't call what the great Frank Gorshin did an "imitation." I would call him a caricaturist and his take on James Cagney a characterization, like a live Al Hirschfeld cartoon. In this great clip, Frank does his amazing characterization of Burt Lancaster, with legends of show-biz and sports having a great time with his performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ_VhYCYeM90jbM

[@dorothyaguilar5639]

James Cagney was my hero growing up when I was young! I truly appreciate all his movies. RIP💔

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

Hello Dorothy, How are you doing?

[@MOGGS1942]

When I look at Gorshin,I can actually see Cagney,Lancaster and Douglas,so he's half way home when doing his impressions.Magnificent.

[@photomanwilliams4147]

Totally true, in fact Kirks son Mike Douglas looks so similar.

[@stevensummers9002]

Just love how Frank Takes a very simple scene and makes it hilarious you can just see the transformation simply genius

[@themersh4064]

I, even as a little kid, always loved Frank. Batman, Star Trek, and several specials got me hooked for life. Thx Frank, thx for the memories.

[@smackinbaits6693]

Gorshin is one of the most underrated comedians...

[@johncase2408]

Gorshin is one of the most fascinating talents. As to why he wasn't more prominent in film roles especially film noire, is beyond me.

[@dougbrowne9890]

@@johncase2408 Might be due to there being so many great actors around at the same time. Today, his talent would be at the top of the mountain.

[@djkrueger]

Hilarious, James Cagney was a class act..As was Frank Gorshin.. Such fine talent, doesnt exist these days..

[@ronaldrayner5049]

I'll second that ,check out Hope and Cagney hoofing it together at the friars ,a scene from a movie , I think it was "The seven little Foys."

[@haroldtrotter1140]

Spent time with Frank while we were both stationed at Seventh Army Hdqrs., Stuttgart, Germany in 1954-55. He was with a Special Unit that did shows for the troops in Europe and I was with the Public Information Office of 7th Army and worked with AFN. Maybe a couple of times a month eight or ten of us from Patch Barracks would gather at the Kleiner Bar in downtown Stuttgart and Frank, after a few beers would give us a free show. I knew he would be great when we got back to the state. And, sure enough, I wasn't surprised when he appeared on the Ed Sulliven Show on CBS. Missed seeing him much later in Laughlin, NV. Great talent....RIP Frank.

[@raymondsteen5316]

James Cagney - One of the best actors in Hollywood of all time! Frank Gorshin - One of the best talented voice impersonators of all time, when it comes to doing Mr. Cagney! ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ James Cagney R.I.P Frank Gorshin R.I.P ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[@franksanta-teresa971]

I saw Frank Gorshin at the Improv in Santa Monica, in 1992. I walked up and said "Mr Gorshin...." and before I could finish, he said to me, "You want to hear the laugh, right?" and I said "Yes, please" and he did the Riddler laugh....what a great guy!!!

[@darylperrins820]

That is mind blowingly good- 'talented' just doesn't even come close- this guy was a gift sent from the almighty.

[@davidlimo1685]

I had the Great Honor & Pleasure to have met this man and will NEVER forget him. May he rest in peace😄

[@steevrawjers]

wow what an honor truly RIP Frank Gorshin

[@Smashlee114]

i saw frank gorshin in las vegas several years ago, he had us laughing so hard i thought i was going to have a heart attack. i have seen a lot of comedy shows but he was by far the funniest.

[@mikemoffitt7500]

Dana singer just tell him that I said hello

[@moncorp1]

@@mikemoffitt7500 ~ That would be kinda hard to do...

[@tawpgk]

I saw Gorshen out in Vegas in 72 or 73. As a kid, much more interesting to me than Bob Goulet and Edie Adams doing their lounge act. He was always my favorite impressionist, plus as a kid of course, as the Riddler.

[@Chuckles..]

When I was a little kid growing up watching Carson, Gorshin was my favorite comedian. Absolutely brilliant entertainer.

[@dominicksforza3484]

I really loved watching. Frank, he was great, his facial expressions added to the impression, how he made his face look like the person he was imitating was what made him the best. His cagney, and his bert lancaster were so good if you closed your eyes and listen to Bert then to Frank you couldn't tell one from the other. Rich Little is good but Frank Gorshin was the best, his brando was exceptional as well, RIP Frank and thanks for the laughs even to this day. A great talent.

[@portorico2319]

His bert lancaster impression was not very good, cause nobody new who bert was lol

[@steveperry1344]

like the real person.

[@paulnewman4624]

He looks like and acts like Richard widmark and James Cagney without even trying

[@francesvandeburgt4173]

I liked Frank Gorshin. He was one of my favorites when he played the Riddler on Batman and another guestarring role on Star Trek the orignal series.

[@runbambirun]

Always a joy watching Frank. A real entertainer.

[@ronaldrayner5049]

Gorshin worked our club ,one night I passed the green room and there was Gorshin ,looking totally in the dumps ,a broken funnyman , but as soon as he hit the stage ,it was as if all the lights went on and a way he went ,kapow ,a master at work ,a true pro.

[@RCGoetzke]

Gorshin was a very talented guy who could act and sing as well as do many humorous impressions.

[@bayareabusinesses]

A natural at comedic body language as well as facial gestures...a gem!

[@steevrawjers]

yes all time classic

[@russocomedy]

A gentleman off stage and on.Always friendly as well as helpful to other artists. He was booked among the stars on May 17, 2005 at age 72.

[@crankbv1]

Watching Frank Gorshin again for the first time in too many years,I was reminded of a line he once came up with where he recalled arriving home one afternoon to find his young son playing in the garden. As soon as the little boy spotted his father he turned and shouted...'MOM..they're home!

[@jeffreymclaughlin6143]

FRANK GORSHIN WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST IMPRESSIONIST'S THAT EVER LIVED IF NOT THE GREATEST RIP FRANK GORSHIN

[@raymondsteen5316]

Well said as I agree with you on that one!!!

[@Wheels8504]

Rich Little

[@shoichleach74callum7]

yeah he was. Always loved and marveled at him. I got to see him live fortunately and without a doubt the funniest night I ever experienced. He shook my hand as he left the stage. Dunno why he shook my hand but it was memorable for me.

[@joedellaselva1251]

Rich Little?......Jimmy Stewart, Richard Nixon, George Burns, etc., etc., etc....

[@jeffreymclaughlin6143]

@@shoichleach74callum7 YEA I GOT A CHANCE TO FINALLY MEET HIM AT THE FAIRMOUNT HOTEL IN SAN FRANCISCO CA BACK IN NOVEMBER 1980 HE WAS APPEARING AT THE VENETIAN ROOM AT THE FAIRMOUNT HOTEL I GOT A CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM FACE TO FACE I GOT AN AUTOGRAPH PICTURE FROM HIM IT WAS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE MEETING HIM LIKE I WAS IN A DREAM TALKING TO HIM MY ALL TIME FAVORITE VILLIAN ON BATMAN THE RIDDLER HIMSELF FACE TO FACE RIDDLE ME THAT BATMAN

[@t18amgr]

Fantastic and gifted entertainer and a gifted impressionist.

[@LRS905]

Ha haaa, the gradual transformation on Cagney´s face is awesome.

[@cookw100]

One of the most admired, respected and yes loved actors ever. Mister Cagney was from everything I've ever heard about him a true Gentleman, he was married to the same woman, [ Francis Vernon] from 19222- 1986 which was also the year of his death.

[@courtneyzietzke3938]

Frank Gorshin was also a very good actor....his appearance on the original star trek series almost won him an emmy award as commissioner beil of the planet sharron. He was a great talant....

[@GentlemanAmerican]

I agree. He was excellent in Star Trek.

[@unowen334]

What a cool and humble man. A great and under-estimated talent. Do you see how calm hear takes the stage in front of the Hollywood Elite?

[@elvicare35]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@gerardhenstock9404]

Bob hope

[@davidr3789]

@@elvicare35 no you weren't

[@stabbification]

One of the most naturally talented comics to ever perform.To bad kids today don't know who these guys are.

[@barrygioportmorien1]

Excellent, Gorshin was one of the best....His talent is missed these days, of course there are no real distinctive celebritys's anymore to imitate.

[@DeanLisi]

Very true .. they all blend together

[@DeanLisi]

Wagner PD WTF

[@moncorp1]

@@DeanLisi ~ What don't you get???

[@DeanLisi]

moncorp1 Inc what ..? I didn’t say I don’t get it.

[@robbiechandler7858]

Great entertainer...reminds me of my youth watching those great old movies

[@atiboyful]

I loved the Riddler in the Batman series as a youth in the late 60's, early 70's

[@nagone11]

He was critically funny in that role, a real master.

[@larrysmith1696]

@@nagone11 to

[@davidsomerset8411]

We ALL did

[@Archer335]

“Riddle me this!” Classic. (Quote from decades-old memory)

[@gregchildress3183]

I thought he was the best villain

[@robharding5345]

I will always remember this guy as the Riddler, But He was much more than that, A very clever impersonator.

[@mikeford7921]

Frank gorshin was great great talent great guy rest in peace

[@PosiP]

I miss calling you house looking for Mitch and getting you on the phone and doing impressions for me. Thank you so much for making me grown as a person and making life fun as a kid. RIP. Scott from BH

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Love Frank!!! One of the best impressionists there have ever been.

[@magprob]

I saw Frank Gorshin in a one man show, many years ago. He was AMAZING! A real entertainer.

[@richardwalker9826]

nobody did em better than the Frank - love it!

[@Raptorman0909]

The acting in this one little bit is impressive. The way he, slowly, morphs into character as the match burns. Each second revealing more and more. Amazing.

[@bathrat]

love watching gorshin

[@charleskuckel3173]

Many younger fans know Frank Gorshin ONLY as the Riddler from BATMAN the TV show. Gorshin was a very talented actor and he could do impressions with the best of them.

[@johnhardman3]

He was born to play the Riddler character.

[@mariaboletsis3188]

He was amazing!!!!!

[@stobbi38]

i gotta say his voice sounds like music. just wonderful.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Everything about Frank was showbiz, he was such a pro and his impressions were something completely different to all others, my own favorites are Burt and Kirk but everything was amazing

[@SM-gl8yo]

Mr. Gorshin did a 1961 guest shot on 'The Defenders'. Mind blowing amazing performance.

[@jeffreymclaughlin6143]

RIGHT I REMEMBER THAT EPISODE OF THE DEFENDERS HE DID FROM 1961 HE SHOULD HAVE WON AN EMEMY FOR THAT EPISODE PERFORMANCE IT WAS REALLY REALLY GREAT THE HUNDRED LIVES OF HARRY SIMS IS THE TITLE OF THE EPISODE

[@marcellino1956]

He's great love his impressions

[@GentlemanAmerican]

Frank Gorshin was one of the great talents. I also loved his impersonation of Kirk Douglas.

[@wcfma]

The greatest! Grew up watching him. I love his Kirk Douglas almost as I love Kirk.

[@dbass9767]

He was also cast as an alien in Star Trek the original one, Commissioner Biel, excellent role

[@timothycarley7348]

I Knew him fairly well back in the Early 80's,he was a great guy.

[@kevinjudy7218]

This is the funniest stand alone impression I have ever seen.

[@dh2838]

def frank 100%, they say rich little was the best, but listen to them back to back and there is no comparison, frank had the greatest ability along with incredible timing and his twist on each character makes it even funnier, without a doubt probably the most underated greatest allround entertainer of all time, pls everyone dig deep and most more on this incredible guy, bravo!

[@mecruzn]

I miss these stars of the past. All true movie stars. Grew up watching all of them.

[@tornmask1]

their will never be another "Frank (The Riddler) Gorshin" cause he can mimick anyone for sure!

[@sparkle11231]

Frank cracked me up no end; he had such a rubber face. Loved him.

[@arthurathanassiou3948]

One of the best entertainers ever ..

[@jeffreymclaughlin6143]

FRANK GORSHIN HE DID A COMEDY VARIETY SERIES BACK IN 1972 IT WAS PART OF THE ABC COMEDY HOUR THE SHOW WAS CALLED THE KOPYKATS I WISHED THEY WOULD PLEASE COMMERCIALLY RELEASE ALL 9 SHOWS ON DVD I DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE WAITING ON.

[@53Humes]

Frank Gorshin's incredible talent is scary. Saw him several times. He is the best!

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Frank never gave a fuck. LEGEND. May he rest in peace.

[@lagunaflyguy]

The Riddler was very good and spot on.

[@mmmbad]

@TJSanson I really miss '60's and '70's TV. My favorite shows of all time were during those years. WTF has happened to entertainment?? Bring back the good old days!

[@Longshanks1956]

Loved him as The Riddler.

[@TheBlodgett3]

Saw Frank on Broadway as George Burns, it was terrific. Enjoyed his impressions throughout the years. So Funny. Look for Video of Cagney accepting the AFI award, where he tell Gorshin he never actually said "You dirty Rat" and where he really obtained that posture he used in the movies. Great story!

[@robertdegeorge9199]

Jim Carrey is a frank gorshin

[@davidbeckett3313]

+Robert Degeorge shite !!!!!! carrey is a dick commpared to gorshin

[@robertdegeorge9199]

I meant carrey is a gorshin copycat

[@laurencelance586]

Brilliant!

[@mightisright]

Thanks. That was great.

[@colinp2238]

I think that Gorshin's impersonations became the stock for many young up and coming impersonators in the late 50s early 60s. Most impersonators tend to do impersonations of other performers than of the actual subjects.

[@hawaiisidecar]

Pure class.

[@fiemisterchris8756]

Frank was amazing

[@PeteGeorge]

FANTASTIC!

[@lawrencelewis8105]

there was no one like Cagney and no one like Gorshin, either! one of his last pictures was "Man of the Century" check it out if you can. Bobby Short, the piano player at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC is in it too.

[@jerryblair61]

Frank was great as the Riddler on the Batman Show

[@steevrawjers]

Frank Gorshin's The Riddler is the gold standard for The Riddler

[@marylawson6060]

Night for me. True and what a talent.

[@Kelly-nm4kw]

Hello Mary, How are you doing?

[@eslubin]

Frank Gorshin was the man

[@andymeighan8160]

I always remember Frank as the joker. Never knew he was so talented

[@ricardocantoral7672]

He was The Riddler.

[@jackrenglish]

ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS I EVER KNEW...JACK ENGLISH HOLLYWOOD..7/2018

[@bikersoncall]

People never got tired of hearing him say; '' you dirty rat'' back in the day.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Check out Bobby Darin's Cagney impression on youtube. Gorshin was great at the physical mannerisms but Darin caught the nasal , hoarseness of the voice spot on.

[@66Bunn]

One of the many prides of Pittsburgh! Along with Michael Keaton, William Powell, Gene Kelly, Charles Grodin, F. Murray Abraham, Scott Glenn, Shirley Jones...and the list goes on. 🙂

[@steelers6titles]

Gorshin did an excellent Richard Burton. He did it on one of the Dean Martin roasts on here.

[@tmage01]

brilliant!

[@lewis20002000]

That was great.

[@vibra64]

Frank Gorshin was a genius.

[@jockellis]

I often steal a quip I heard in one of his stand up routines, “I don’t know how much money you need, but I need all I can get.”

[@elvicare35]

Hilarious and awesome!!!!!

[@raymondsteen5316]

Though Cagney never said the line "You dirty rat " in any films, but in "Taxi" he did actually say " C'mon out and take it ya yellow bellied rat or I'll give it to ya right through the door!!!". Other Cagney famous lines from movies: 1)Made it Ma, top of the world!!! 2)I told you to keep away from that radio!! And if that battery is dead, it'll have company!!! 3)Come out with your hands up, the man says!!! How do yuh like that, Ma?? 4)Whadda ya hear? Whadda ya say? 5)So's your thick skull, copper! 6)And no slip ups or you're gonna need a doctor! 7)My mother thanks you! My father thanks you! My sister thanks you! And I thank you! 8)ALL RIGHT!!!!...WHOOOO DID IT??!!!... WHOOOO DID IT???!!!

[@danielcorreard3746]

I remember frank gorshin as the riddler from the show bat man back in my child hood

[@wrenspence1936]

He was rather amazing!

[@JohnnyCashFanatic]

Frank was an amazing impressionist, but he was just as good at serious acting

[@yowzephyr]

I remember Frank Gorshin being on a talk show when he was getting all wrinkled and old looking, and somehow the opportunity arose where he felt he had a chance to break into one of his impressions. But as he did so it looked strange because he looked so old, and the other people on the show laughed but they also butted in and shut him down. I could tell that they felt it was an embarrassment. It made me mad that they did that to him. I'll always remember that as a getting-old-is-hell moment.

[@USCCHRIS0476]

He was the Riddler, and I saw him on charlies angels :) He's AWESOME

[@stevecoyle1]

Star Trek too.

[@TheValeyard92]

What we can learn from this and Jim Carrey: if you need a tribute, get the Riddler to do it.

[@hey.hombre]

The best Riddler.

[@tampajep]

He was awesome!

[@flaggerify]

Not only an impersonation, a clever caricature.

[@amespi1000]

This was an entertainer!