The truth about the life and career of the great actor James Cagney

James Cagney was an American actor, dancer, and film director, renowned for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and tough characters in the movies in which he starred. He gained recognition and significant awards for his diverse roles. His tough portrayals in films such as "Taxi," "Public Enemy," "White Heat," and "Angels with Dirty Faces" made him a standout figure and a star in his own right.
James Cagney had a unique way of speaking, characterized by distinctive intonation and rapid delivery, becoming his signature. Sharp wit, memorable quotes, and a distinctive performance style added a special charm and charisma to his roles.

[@catdog2706]

Always loved James Cagney he was a fabulous actor ❤

[@verahicks1483]

I am happy with this video except with " warner bros*. Why can't it be "warner brothers" like an EDUCATED person would speak. I didn't finish watching this video

[@CyberdyneSystems10161]

@@verahicks1483 too bad the creator of this video didnt ask you about that . A video is a video piss of snowflake

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

He was an incredible man. I saw him first in Angels With Dirty Faces, in which he gave an extraordinary performance, and from that day onward I was a huge fan. I cried when he died, I couldn't believe he had gone. What an incredible actor, what an incredible star he really was!

[@catamongthepigeons6576]

Angels with dirty faces was a truely amazing film.

[@mereoxendine193]

Hi there CarlyCharlesWorth I just read what you said about James Cagney. I was a child when James Cagney died. Later in life I discovered James Cagney in Yankee Doodle dandy and my entire life changed . I watched James Cagney AFI award night and as he spoke James Cagney made me realize I could do anything too just like James Cagney even if it's hard work. James CAGNEY took me to Dutches County NY through his movies. I believe James Cagney was talking directly to me and I learned all I can about James Cagney. That included going to the deeds and property department. I talked to people who were close to him and they shared stories about James Cagney. I went to the cemetery where it was only James Cagney,his wife and myself. I could take my time and grieve. I have a James Cagney shirt . I spent the week doing what James Cagney loved doing. I walked the exact path James Cagney walked. I then would bring flowers and I ordered a picture of James Cagney to put on his grave. When I went home I can tell everyone about James Cagney.

[@Eduardo-pj5yl]

Yeah he was truly one of a kind

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put !

[@okay5045]

I had a poster from that movie of him walking to the chair. He was a great actor.

[@malcolmdivorty6852]

One of the true great actors of all time

[@jubalcalif9100]

I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion !

[@iansisberg5745]

He sure was!!! What a 'Human dynamo'!!! 😀😃👍 Also, He was 'Fully fluent in Yiddish' by the time he was 18 years old, I think. All my friends and I could only speak a few words of Yiddish, here and there. And, we're 'Jewish'!!! 😀😃😄

[@iansisberg5745]

P.S. You can see and here the 'Great James Cagney' speaking 'Perfect Yiddish' early in the 1932 movie 'Taxi' to an elderly Jewish gentleman trying to tell another 'cabbie' where to drive him, in 'Yiddish', his mother tongue. 😀😃😄

[@johnlanigan4130]

There will never be another, Thank You.

[@franksantucci3038]

I've always liked Cagney, he was the best Hollywood Gangster of them all. I read his autobiography when I was in Junior high school 70, and realized why. It wasn't an act, he ran with a rough crowd growing up, and lost a couple of friends in the electric chair. It was dancing that saved his life, besides being a tremendous actor, he was also a great dancer, as evidenced by his performance in Yankee Doodle Dandy. He owned a horse ranch, a few miles away from where I grew up. His ranch was in Granada Hills California, he raised Clydesdale horses. I lived on the Chatsworth, Northridge border when it was all orange groves, and horse ranches. There was an area inside of Chatsworth called Porter Ranch, Dale Robertson, Chad Everett, Jack Oakie, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Chill Wills, and Leonard Nimoy, all had horse ranches there. It was once a very beautiful place!! Right down the road was a place called Devonshire Downs, it was the County fairgrounds, that once hosted a 3 day concert that rivaled Woodstock, it was called Sunkist 68, and all the big time rockers performed there. Getting back to Cagney, he was the best, never be another like him. The little tough guy, my favorite !!

[@franksantucci3038]

BTW, I forgot to mention that the old County fairgrounds-Devonshire Downs, is now Cal State Northridge

[@sherrihinton2885]

As a child the first movie I remember him in was Yankee Doodle Dandy.

[@nancywindbigler6434]

When my dad was a young man he looked so much like James Cagney, his friends called him Biff from Cagneys role in The Strawberry Blonde. He was called Biff until he passed!!!

[@bobboscarato1313]

I also had a lifetime friend of mine who's father look like a twin o J. Cagney.-

[@nancywindbigler6434]

It's said we all have a doppelganger!! My dad lived in KCMO his entire life.

[@wordscapes5690]

Your use of unrelated stock footage is LUDICROUS!

[@mauriciogutierrez2145]

There were more technical actors but in terms of how his presence demanded attention, how entertaining he was on screen and how the camera loved him, i think him and edward g robinson are the best hollywood actors of all time

[@noelwalsh5898]

He was a great actor 😊

[@sandyr9081]

Well said! Loved them both (Cagney and Robinson).

[@ladanehaten4283]

James Cagney was one of Hollywood's greatest actors. Much Love RIP.

[@ilfarmboy]

George Cohan personally picked Cagney to play his part in the movie as Cohan was dying of cancer they rush the movie and was able to show it to Cohan before his passing in 1942 (Dandy was Cagney's favorite movie to do

[@BarbaraBurkert]

I was very young when I first saw James Cagney on t v and from that point on I tried to watch everything I could with him in it. He was handsome,great dancer,and 1of the best actors ever. It's suprising to hear to me to hear anything negative about him and I think it's in poor taste for you to mention that! I've always loved Mr. Cagney + always will thank you for your gift to us + r. I. P

[@PDLM1221]

Cagney with the Bowery boys what a joy

[@catherinekerr2160]

A very diversified actor. Extraordinary actor & human being.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur !

[@sheilabloom6735]

He was a shitty father.

[@Sukijopa]

@@sheilabloom6735 I'm with you on that. And he used to be a favorite of mine. Not since I Iearned how he treated his kids.

[@Thomas-yr9ln]

My grandfather spoke fluent German but he had no choice he was German. He was also born in 1899. Lord do I miss him. He was a medic during world War two. He was a very kind and soft Hearted person. 😢

[@Gwaithmir]

My favorite Cagney films are "One, Two Three" and "Ragtime."

[@christhompson3750]

Loved Cagney in Mr. Roberts and Yankee Doodle Dandy.

[@Les445]

My favorite actor and Bette Davis is my favorite actress.

[@luvinlife90]

He had such a unique dance style!! Very fun to watch :))

[@jakestilson1947]

So admired James Cagney as an actor and off screen. Surprised that his role in "Love me or leave me" wasn`t jncluded. Nominated for Oscar- Best Actor.

[@sherylcrawford8201]

He has always been a favorite of mine. What an amazing actor!

[@user-jy8mo5fi5q]

The most memorial lines i ever heard him utter was at the end of one of his early films, "I'm on top of the world ma."

[@stephenholmes1036]

The response he got in tbe UK was incredible

[@vernwallen4246]

If there's anyone that can name a BETTER actor than Cagney please step up to the plate.

[@deborahd6142]

Humprey Bogart, Ronald Coleman, Errol Flynn, Edward G. Robinson the list goes on.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I'll step up! And I will say no.

[@heatherhinde6544]

Don't forget Robert Donat.

[@jimarcher5255]

@@deborahd6142None of the ones you named could “act and dance” like Cagney.

[@nickimontie]

​@@jimarcher5255I can't imagine Bogie in Yankee Doodle Dandy 😂

[@MySpace662]

Some people don't realize that their children didn't ask to be brought into this world,

[@drfalcon4102]

one of the best movies he made, I think, was named "one two three" you have to watch it a couple of times to catch it all but , its really a funny flick.

[@williesnyder2899]

Life is a dance ~ You don’t know where the steps will lead ~ Take the chance ~ Dare to try, perhaps to succeed ~

[@despinaxenoulis5904]

FABULOUS ACTOR !!! ♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹🍀🍀🍀

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Here's a remote connection- My ex-wife's mother was a waitress in the Howard Johnson restaurant on Main St In Poughkeepsie, New York. She died in 1978 and my ex told me how her mother served Cagney on weekends. Marge Zimmerman owned a small bar called The Dutch Cabin which ws not far away and above the fireplace was a portrait of Cagney. I drank in there from time to time. Remote for sure. He was without a doubt my favourite actor. Never gave a bad performance, not even once. He lived North of Poughkeepsie in as I recall Clinton Corners but I could be wrong about that- it's been a while.

[@conniehiggins3406]

He always described himself as a song and dance man... ala Yankee Doodle Dancing." He did not"Love" acting. He acted to support his way of life. His contentment would be found in his wife and his large horse and cattle ranch. One of the last and greatest.

[@Bronco46tube]

Cagney was unforgettable in "The Caine Mutiney" and 'Mr. Roberts."

[@jmad627]

Cagney wasn’t in "The Caine Mutiny." I agree that he was great in "Mr. Roberts."

[@jimarcher5255]

Humphrey Bogart was the actor in Caine Mutiney

[@MySkinnydip]

He has amazing eyelashes!

[@jamesfreeman2258]

I loved him in a movie fron the forties with Bette Davis. It was a comedy and romance. It's just a great movie.

[@kmterpin]

The Bride Came C.O.D.

[@tmr626]

James Cagney was the best! Some of his other good movies not mentioned in the video are "Strawberry Blonde," "Captain Of The Clouds", Blood On The Sun," "White Heat" and "One Two Three." I remember the cutie Pamela Tiffin from the '60's too, whom starred in a lot of movies herself.

[@kmterpin]

Also no mention of Footlight Parade, The Roaring Twenties, City for Conquest, Torrid Zone, Man of a Thousand Faces...

[@stephenshea8168]

I know just about every line from "ANGELS with DIRTY faces " - great movie ...ROCKY SULLIVAN -....CAGNEY at his BEST

[@patriciahappnie1115]

I speak often about how much I admire, and respect. Robertinho is an actor, stating that he’s going to one day be considered one of the top very top great actors since talking movies, but James Cagney beaten by a mile.

[@Einstein852]

Best actor ever

[@patriciacrosson2209]

VERY GOOD ACTOR IN THE OLD DAYS THE HOLLYWOOD PEOPLE WERE ACTORS AN ACTRESSES NOT LIKE IT IS TODAY

[@Christina-bz3mo]

Thought he was cute as a teen girl watching our B&W tv ! ..."you dirty rotten copper", "you dirty rat"... ❤ And the grapefruit scene ....😅❤

[@jimarcher5255]

Actually he never said “you dirty rat” but everyone impersonating him did say it.

[@user-nf5xd3rq9q]

White heat was a brilliant film Jamescageny was a good acter

[@coxmosia1]

Not enough info on why his children distanced themselves from him. I loved him as an actor though. Public Enemy, White Heat and Yankee Doodle Dandy are my favorites.

[@addie_is_me]

It is not mentioned here, but I have read a few times about how even as very small children his kids did not live with him, they lived in a guest house on the estate, I guess with a nanny at least, but it was so he could concentrate on studying lines, etc., they had no reason to feel close to him I guess, they were not treated as very important to the Cagneys.

[@sheilabloom6735]

He ignored his kids. Why would they love him or his wife.

[@bobboscarato1313]

It says: He left all his money to his wife.--

[@kmterpin]

The Cagney's were estranged from theirq children due to overzealous intervention of caregivers who isolated both Cagney parents from their children and friends. “Jimmy Jr. made a last trip to the farm before it sold

[@giantgeoff]

He was the back fence neighbor of one of my bosses when I was learning residential construction

[@brianarbenz1329]

Warner Brows. They're right up there with Paramnt and Unit Artists.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Ha ! That's rich ! In Hollywood, I think Martin Scocese has the most well known brows....eye brows, that is.

[@paulamccool6679]

Weird, how they make a "point" of saying he left nothing to his children, instead choosing his wife as his sole beneficiary. Children are secondary to the surviving spouse. How is that news or worth mentioning?

[@leoinsf]

James Cagney couldn't disappear into the character of the movies he was in. The character was always "James Cagney" no matter how hard he tried to escape this identity. He made some great movies and his identity didn't hurt his success in these movies!

[@lilygg8018]

WARNER BROTHERS!!!! Geez!! :o)

[@christinedraper9042]

Thank you! Why the people who make these videos can’t make adjustments to the (I assume) AI that’s doing the reading is beyond me. Or… Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they hired actual people who could read? 13:57

[@jubalcalif9100]

@@christinedraper9042 Indubitably !

[@lylethaparker9453]

Loved Cagney! Enjoyed this clip, however you pronounce Bros. as Brothers. It’s an abbreviation.😊

[@margaretlocke7938]

He sure loved his life on his wonderful last large farm

[@vincentdefeo5917]

Yankee Doodle Dandy"was the movie carney won the Oscar for ! One of the best actors ever "you dirty rat"😊

[@Les445]

Ive told many younger folks that my favorite Cagney movie is White Heat. One young man asked the question...is that porn? Too funny and I just had to share that with you folks. ✌️❤️😸

[@JohnSmith-ct5jd]

I loved the film White Heat. It was probably the best gangster film ever made. Ironically, Cagney himself was not impressed with it.

[@TenaCee-zu9ew]

"warner broze"😂😂😂

[@brianarbenz1329]

19:50 "Winters in Los Angeles." Yeah, that's the classic L.A. snowfall, alright!... 1:09 Who knew Manhattan's lower east side had Philippine-style shanty houses?

[@SheilaRiley-ug9pb]

I always thought Michael J Fox would have be n PERFECT to play Cagney in a bio.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Totally agree ! In fact, Mr. Cagney was a fan of Mr. Fox's work.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Fox wanted to but his health....

[@kmterpin]

Cagney had said to Michael J. Fox, during one of his visits to Cagney's home, that if Hollywood ever did a movie on his life, he wanted Fox to portray him. I waited for years, with fingers crossed, that such a movie WOULD happen! Sadly, it never did.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

@@kmterpin I just saw Michael J at the BAFTA awards. Fuck me, I am so sorry for him. But as he has said, he doesn't need anyone's pity. More power to him!

[@LW-no9sm]

The modern photos inserted here are ludicrous.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I agree!

[@highlightoftheday7058]

My personal favourite actor.

[@jubalcalif9100]

You clearly have excellent taste !

[@kmterpin]

As a kid in 1970 I saw The Public Enemy...I was in awe & spellbound by Cagney then, he has remained my favorite actor ever since.

[@gertrudesregis9166]

LATE VIEWER FROM PHILIPPINES

[@jodycanfield6684]

It's not all that unusual for a spouse to Will everything to the other spouse and not include the kids. That happened in my family as all the "children" were already adults. Once our mother passed then her Will included all of us.

[@Sukijopa]

He was a horribIe father.

[@user-dp2tb4wp4z]

That's exactly what I thought, children are rarely mentioned in a will unless they are widowed.

[@margcromack1229]

It’s Warner Brothers,not bros. Bros is an abbreviation of brothers.

[@fob1xxl]

OFFICIALLY, The studio itself goes by WARNER BROS. "NOT" WARNER BROTHERS ! They do NOT SPELL OUT, BROTHERS. CHECK IT OUT. Auto voices are never correct !

[@maryelmore9019]

yes, this was driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PolferiferusII]

@@maryelmore9019 Same. Imagine what godawful things they'd do with Esq., Ltd., Co., Mgt., Inc., or LLC!

[@maryelmore9019]

hahahahahah, thats why we shouldn't use AI.

[@jg90049]

Too bad a crappy narrative spoils this video.

[@jubalcalif9100]

That's for sure !!

[@Fcukthedems]

With fake children who look nothing like his kids…

[@Sukijopa]

@@Fcukthedems He didn't care about his kids anyway.

[@Fcukthedems]

@@Sukijopa thats not the point. Its the cheesy actors they use on narrative….

[@Sukijopa]

@@Fcukthedems I know, but I want to get it in wherever I can that he was disgusting as a father. He wouIdn't have cared what cheesy actors were chosen to portray his kids in the video.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining.

[@taxidude]

He was an old man when he died. If his offspring hadn’t launched by then, then they were never going to.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Interesting & informative video. But the use of "Warner Bros" instead of "Warner Brothers" becomes quite irritating. And sadly, lots of irritating commercials. Sigh. But that's the way the Mercedes Benz. Mr. Cagney was of course one of Hollywood's most iconic actors. He did explain in his will that he purposely didn't leave any money to his daughter or late son's family because his belief was that adult children should earn their own way. I don't agree with that but, after all, it was his money to do with as he pleased. And I read that when still alive he & his wife did help out their grown children financially over the years.

[@lmccarty2201]

The word is BROTHERS! Not bros!

[@IreneSmith]

Does anybody bother to listen to these to make sure that the computer-generated narrator pronounces words correctly?

[@highlightoftheday7058]

Excellent presentation.

[@angelorollo3350]

Surprising he distanced himself from his children.😮

[@judyvalencia3257]

How hard is it to say Brothers? It really irked me everytime he said Bros! If you’re doing a show about the 1930,s, at least talk like you have respect for that era. Nobody said Bro’s back then. Such lack of respect!

[@kellychapman7331]

Cagney died in 1986, not 1984.

[@user-mz2wg9yi5s]

White heat great movie just saying James Cagney great actor.

[@kennlong1955]

Warner “Bros.” gets tiresome. FAST. There are multiple miss-pronunciations which distract from the otherwise interesting material. Maybe you can coach your robot before other entries.

[@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu]

But it's not a robot. This recording was made by a real speaker. But we'll let him know his mistakes.

[@harvey3rdman464]

@@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu Also it's pronounced 'more-AN' not Morin. Like 'Bugs' Moran.

[@LaShondaFelton1983]

#REQUEST: The truth about the lives and careers of the two great actors Simon Oakland And Kenneth Tobey ​@@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu

[@user-uv8bv4dm9f]

I wouldn't- some people are over critical. They should just relax and enjoy the show!@@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu

[@tr5947]

@@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu He might want to check pronunciation of words and titles he's not familiar with, like Stuyvesant (STY-vas-SENT), which to this day is a prestigious public high school in NYC.

[@terrya8989]

Great actor, but treated his adopted children like crap. Apparently they were treated like possessions. James Jr, never went off the rails and even joined the Marines. Cagney nor the 'mother' didn't even bother to turn up for the graduation. He would also send him cheques on his birthday, which Cagney Jr kept and finally sent them all back years later. All because he didn't 'approve' of the woman he married even though they stayed together for years.

[@user-dp2tb4wp4z]

People are always eager to see the worse in others when in reality things are not always so clear cut.

[@lar842]

Was Cagney who gave Audie Murphy his break in acting

[@user-ch9kr8cp2b]

Did he say he had 6 siblings, who passed away after his birth I don’t know about that, but I know he had a sister and a younger sister at that who acted along with him.

[@geirbalderson9697]

Warner BROTHERS!!!!!!!!! Not Bros!

[@Boogleye]

His Children were human beings He was the odd one

[@BillBadMule123]

🥰😍🤩🥳❤💯💢💥💫👍👍👍

[@goodguy1384]

I believe he was born on the upper east side in Yorkville not the lower east SIDE.

[@kmterpin]

He grew up in the slum, rough Lower East Side of New York city.

[@ja1756]

I thought that was Billy Graham ❤😂

[@vincentdefeo5917]

Cagney

[@michaelgillespie1206]

Yeah, just who did he leave it to, I didn't catch that part?

[@marbleman52]

@michaelgillespie1206....He left it all to his life-long wife.

[@HelenMStevens]

.. And I don't get why that is strange, it is perfectly normal in the UK for a spouse to leave everything to a spouse (my Dad did) and only after the death of the remaining partner for the estate to devolve upon offspring. What to question? Oh, and I just loved him!

[@HelenMStevens]

Left it all to his beloved wife.

[@howardkahn4330]

that's the normal thing to do, husband leaves all to his long term wife. very stupid for you to mention

[@allencampbell8322]

So he was the dirty rat

[@CashMacGregor]

you didn't mention anything about the click bait statement of his will or his family. i won't be watching any of your videos in the future.

[@theseeker4642]

I wonder why his adopted children distanced themselves from him & if they also distanced themselves from their adoptive mother, as both kids knew no other parents to upset the apple cart !

[@Sukijopa]

I used to admire James Cagney, but in recent years I found what a terrible parent he was. It was he who distanced from his son and daughter. The children lived in a separate building. I aIso saw an informal eulogy by JC III's former army buddy, in which he praised the son for being a nice young man who could never please his father. When his son died, the onIy "eulogy" Cagney. had for him was that he was "a jack of aII trades and master of none."

[@MrEdium]

He was also a Judoka.

[@dustydog6868]

What's a Judoka?

[@Nursebakr]

"BROSE"

[@johnthompson7420]

black history month is right around the corner

[@grandmaisback6052]

didnt he die in 1986,

[@Nursebakr]

VIT - ah - graph?

[@margaretlocke7938]

Warner brothers were incredibly CHEAP

[@tr7198]

He left the viewer to believe they were in on the inside angle. The roaring twenties

[@wntastd]

FYI: Bros., is an abbreviation of BROTHERS! You m might want to do some research before you do a similar production!

[@wmichaeldipaola9086]

Great material ruined by the LOW BUDGET "AI" NARRATION ........ mispronounced words abound! No need to list them for they have already been posted in previous comments!!

[@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu]

But it's not a robot. This recording was made by a real speaker. But we'll let him know his mistakes.

[@tessmolloy2388]

Here we have information at our fingertips, including the ability to find the correct pronunciations of words and names, yet those who narrate professionally don’t bother to check. It’s annoying and unprofessional.

[@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu]

Yes, you're absolutely right. In the future, we will either change the announcer or give him a second chance.

[@Fcukthedems]

And stop the modern actors it doesn’t fit the documentary at all

[@user-dp2tb4wp4z]

@@SecretsofCelebrities-ge7vu It just sounds what it Is, a man reading a script with no passion, interest or natural intonation.

[@claresmith9261]

This title is totally misleading as everything would go to his wife anyway once he died

[@geraldhimmelspach1154]

Who does not know his name

[@Linda-bf4pt]

I always always admired him as a multi talented performer. There must have been some reason for his whole family turning against him. But it's right that we concentrate on the positive.

[@arliegage1380]

SOOO who got his money?🎉

[@marbleman52]

He left it all to his wife.

[@suekleinman6737]

His wife of 64yrs

[@gwae48]

his wife

[@thecaptain4829]

it's NOT Warner BROS.....It IS Warner BROTHERS Its a company name NOT a street name. show your education not lack of

[@cautionTosser]

The Dead End Kids apparently didn't like him. Said he was a bit of a dick and enjoyed the scenes where he got to hit them. But Bogie treated them well. I still like a lot of his work.

[@gailsiegel1808]

They hated Bogart. Cagney mentioned that in his autobiography.

[@cautionTosser]

lol. who you gonna believe? Cagney or the Dead End Kids?@@gailsiegel1808

[@thomaslogue7773]

They messed bogie about but they couldn't do it to cagney that's why they didn't like him

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Cagney didn't take any shit from them. The first take in Angels, Leo Gorcey made a wisecrack and Cagney punched him. Told him, "We are professionals and we are not here to waste anyone's time." They respected him after that. They gave Bogart a hard time while filming " Dead End" and after the Cagney thing, they said "He's no Bogart!" Bogart played a tough guy but Cagney ws the real deal.

[@kmterpin]

​@@lawrencelewis2592True. Bogart came from a monied family. Cagney was Eastside NYC poor & tough. He fashioned his gangster's shoulder hitch & "whaddya hear, whaddya say" greeting in Angels With Dirty Faces from some gangland hoodlum he had observed as a kid growing up in the lower Eastside of Manhattan.