George M. Cohan

Full Name: George Michael Cohan
Profession: Composer, Actor and Singer

Biography: Born into a vaudeville family, George M. Cohan became an industry unto himself. Starting as child and touring as part of The Four Cohans, with his parents and sister, he began selling songs as a teenager. He went on to write, compose songs, produce, sing and dance in more than three dozen Broadway musicals.

Cohan also published more than 300 songs during his lifetime, including the standards "You're a Grand Old Flag"; "The Yankee Doodle Boy"; "Over There";
and "Give My Regards to Broadway".

He was the subject of the 1942 film "Yankee Doodle Dandy", for which James Cagney won an Academy Award, and the 1968 Broadway musical "George M!", starring Joel Grey.

Born: July 3, 1878
Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: November 5, 1942 (aged 64)
Cause of Death: Cancer