George Michael Cohan, born on July 3, 1878, and passing away on November 5, 1942, was a multifaceted American talent. He excelled as an entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and theatrical producer.
Early Years on Stage
Cohan’s journey in showbiz began during his childhood when he performed alongside his parents and sister in a popular vaudeville act known as “The Four Cohans.” His rise to stardom took off with the debut of “Little Johnny Jones” in 1904. Remarkably, he not only starred in these productions but also took on the roles of writer and producer. Over the course of his career, Cohan wrote over 50 shows and published more than 300 songs. Some of his timeless classics include “Over There,” “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” He was a pioneer, even becoming one of the earliest members of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).
A Legacy of Longevity
Cohan’s theatrical legacy extended well into the 1930s, as he continued to appear in films and maintained his status as a headlining artist until 1940.
The Father of American Musical Comedy
Often hailed as “the man who owned Broadway” in the years leading up to World War I, George M. Cohan is recognized as the father of American musical comedy. His life and contributions to the world of music and theater were immortalized in the Oscar-winning film “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942) and the 1968 musical “George M!” Today, a statue in Times Square, New York City, stands as a tribute to his enduring impact on American musical theatre.
Early Life and Family
George Cohan was born in 1878 in Providence, Rhode Island, to Irish Catholic parents. Although his baptismal certificate indicated a July 3 birthdate, Cohan and his family always insisted that he was “born on the Fourth of July!” His parents were traveling vaudeville performers, and he joined their act as a young child, initially as a prop. He quickly developed his talents in dance and song, stepping onto the stage as soon as he could walk and talk.
Cohan’s journey as a child performer began at the tender age of 8, initially on the violin before transitioning into dance. He was the fourth member of “The Four Cohans,” a vaudeville troupe that included his father, Jeremiah “Jere” (Keohane) Cohan, his mother, Helen “Nellie” Costigan Cohan, and his sister, Josephine “Josie” Cohan Niblo. By 1890, he had risen to stardom as the lead in a show called “Peck’s Bad Boy” and subsequently joined his family’s act. The Four Cohans remained a touring sensation from 1890 to 1901. George Cohan and his sister made their Broadway debuts in 1893 in a sketch titled “The Lively Bootblack.” Despite his early temperamental nature, Cohan learned to channel his energy positively. During this time, he delivered his now-famous curtain speech: “My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you.”