George M. Cohan

George M. Cohan – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and work of George M. Cohan — actor, playwright, composer, and “man who owned Broadway.” Learn about his biography, achievements, and his most famous quotes.

Introduction

George Michael Cohan (July 3, 1878 – November 5, 1942) stands among the towering figures of early 20th-century American musical theater. An actor, composer, lyricist, playwright, dancer, singer, and producer, he shaped Broadway’s identity and forged a style of patriotic, energetic entertainment that resonated deeply with American audiences. Known as “the man who owned Broadway,” he left a legacy of timeless songs, sharp wit, and a uniquely American theatrical spirit.

His influence still echoes in modern musicals, and his life story has been immortalized in film and stage adaptations—most notably Yankee Doodle Dandy and George M!. This article delves into Cohan’s life, career, philosophy, and enduring legacy, along with his most memorable sayings.

Early Life and Family

George M. Cohan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 3, 1878 (though his family claimed he was “born on the Fourth of July” as part of his patriotic persona). The Four Cohans.

From infancy, George was steeped in performance. He was literally onstage by the time he could walk—first as a prop, then gradually taking on singing, dancing, and other roles.

As a child he developed what would become his signature curtain speech:

“My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you.”

Those early years instilled in him an energy, ambition, and deep grounding in the mechanics of show business.

Youth and Education

While formal schooling was minimal, George’s training came through hands-on experience. By the age of eight or so, he played violin and danced.

He and Josie made their Broadway debut in 1893 in a sketch called The Lively Bootblack.

His early immersion in every aspect of performance gave him a rare versatility that would serve him throughout his career.

Career and Achievements

Rise in Vaudeville to Broadway

In the 1890s and early 1900s, Cohan’s family toured extensively under the Four Cohans name.

His first full Broadway venture as writer, director, and producer was The Governor’s Son (1901). Little Johnny Jones (1904), which introduced “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “The Yankee Doodle Boy.”

From about 1904 to 1920, he and his longtime partner Sam H. Harris produced many musicals, revues, and plays.

He wrote or contributed to more than 50 Broadway shows and published over 300 songs. Among his best-known songs are:

• Over There (a World War I anthem)

• You’re a Grand Old Flag

• Give My Regards to Broadway

He also engaged in theatrical innovations: blending dances into storytelling, treating characters as “average Joes and Janes,” and striving for cohesion between book and score—trends that anticipated modern musical theater.

Later Career & Hollywood

In the 1930s, Cohan dabbled in film, though with reluctance (he disliked Hollywood’s production style). He starred in The Phantom President (1932) and Gambling (1934), though Gambling is now considered a lost film.

On stage, he turned to more serious roles. In 1933 he appeared in Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness!, and in 1937 played President Franklin Roosevelt in I’d Rather Be Right. The Return of the Vagabond, was mounted in 1940.

In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, the film musical biography of Cohan starring James Cagney, was released. Cagney’s performance won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film was privately screened for Cohan near the end of his life.

Honors & Unique Achievements

Cohan received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Franklin Roosevelt in 1940, becoming the first person in an artistic field to be honored in that way. The citation recognized in particular his contribution to patriotism through songs like You’re a Grand Old Flag and Over There.

His case against the IRS, George M. Cohan v. Commissioner, established the “Cohan rule”—a precedent in U.S. tax law that allows business expense deductions even in the absence of perfect documentation, if credible.

In 1959, a bronze statue of Cohan was unveiled in Times Square (Duffy Square) — the only statue of an actor on Broadway.

His musicals and lyrics have influenced generations, and his life inspired later productions such as George M! (1968).

Historical Milestones & Context

• Vaudeville to Broadway transition: Cohan’s early career in vaudeville laid the foundation for his Broadway success. His ability to understand popular taste and translate it to the stage was a hallmark of the American musical’s growth.

• World War I patriotism: Over There (1917) became one of the most popular American songs of the war, helping solidify Cohan as a patriotic voice.

• Actors’ Equity strike (1919): Cohan opposed the strike by the Actors’ Equity Association, partly because he was both producer and actor in his own shows. This stance earned him some animosity from the theatrical community.

• Tax law legacy: His tax case left a lasting mark on U.S. jurisprudence regarding business expense deductions.

• Cultural iconography: Cohan’s works were adapted multiple times into films and musicals, cementing his status as an enduring cultural figure.

Through these intersections with labor, law, war, and performance, Cohan’s life illustrates how art, commerce, and national identity intertwined in early 20th-century America.

Legacy and Influence

George M. Cohan’s influence is felt across multiple dimensions of American theater and popular music.

1. Pioneer of the “book musical”
   Unlike many earlier shows that stitched together songs loosely, Cohan strove to integrate music, story, and dance. He used dance to further plot as early as decades before later musical innovators.

2. Democratization of musical theater
   His characters were often everyday Americans, making his works accessible and resonant. He combined ambition, optimism, and patriotism in a way that appealed to broad audiences.

3. Musical canon & enduring songs
   Songs like “Give My Regards to Broadway”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “Over There”, and “The Yankee Doodle Boy” remain part of the American musical lexicon.

4. Cultural memory & portrayals
   Cohan’s life has inspired stage and film works such as George M! and Yankee Doodle Dandy, ensuring newer generations continue to engage with his story.

5. Symbol in public space
   The statue in Times Square and his Congressional Gold Medal mark him as a rare theatrical figure honored in national memory.

6. Legal and business legacy
   The “Cohan rule” in tax law and his model of managing multiple roles in show business inspired later generations of producer-artists.

Cohan is frequently described as one of the greatest single figures American theater produced—as a performer, writer, composer, producer, and impresario.

Personality and Talents

George M. Cohan combined raw ambition, showmanship, and cunning practicality. He had a flair for self-promotion, as reflected in witty quotes and his fondness for public affirmation.

He was known for being temperamental in youth, but over time learned to channel that fire into rigorous work ethic and creative discipline.

Cohan was multi-talented:

• Composer & lyricist: He wrote songs swiftly, often focusing on melodic directness and strong patriotic or emotional hooks.

• Playwright & storyteller: He crafted books (scripts) with brisk pacing and populist appeal.

• Producer & business strategist: He oversaw production, marketing, and staging. His savvy approach allowed multiple shows to run concurrently.

• Performer: With dance, song, and acting skills, he often starred in his own works.

His charisma was vital to his success; he understood how to engage audiences, whether through a spoken curtain speech or a rousing anthem.

Famous Quotes of George M. Cohan

Below are some of Cohan’s most quoted lines—full of wit, patriotism, and theatrical flair:

1. “I don’t care what you say about me, as long as you say something about me, and as long as you spell my name right.”

2. “Don’t tell ’em — SHOW ’em!”

3. “Hurried and worried until we’re buried, and there’s no curtain call — Life’s a very funny proposition after all.”

4. “Many a bum show has been saved by the flag.”

5. “Always Leave Them Laughing When You Say Goodbye.”

6. From his songs:

   “Give my regards to Broadway,
   Remember me to Herald Square,
   Tell all the gang at 42nd Street,
   That I will soon be there…”
   

7. Patriotic lines in Yankee Doodle Boy / Over There:

   “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy,
   A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam’s,
   Born on the Fourth of July.”
   

These lines reflect his flair for punchy, memorable expression—whether humorous, earnest, or patriotic.

Lessons from George M. Cohan

From Cohan’s life and work emerge several lessons relevant to artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to make a mark:

• Master all aspects of your craft
  Cohan’s success stemmed from deep familiarity with performance, writing, production, and business. Versatility gave him flexibility.

• Own your narrative
  He embraced patriotic identity (e.g. claiming Fourth of July birth) and self-promotion as part of his brand. Building one’s public persona can be as strategic as creating the art itself.

• Persistence & resilience
  He faced early flops and industry pushback (e.g. from Actors’ Equity), yet persisted. His career was marked by comebacks and reinventions.

• Balance art and commerce
  He knew how to gauge mass appeal without compromising theatricality—an equilibrium many creators struggle to maintain.

• Impact beyond stage
  His tax case and legal precedent illustrate how one person’s disputes can ripple into fields far beyond their core domain.

• Legacy through adaptation
  The fact that his life has been dramatized, his songs revived, and his influence studied shows that building robust, adaptable creative work can outlive one’s era.

Conclusion

George M. Cohan was more than a performer; he was a force—a creative entrepreneur who shaped Broadway and American musical identity. Through his songs, plays, and theater innovations, he remains a touchstone for what it means to blend heart, patriotism, and showmanship. The enduring popularity of “Give My Regards to Broadway”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, and “Over There” testifies that his emotional and cultural appeal continues to resonate.

If you’re inspired, dive deeper into Yankee Doodle Dandy, George M!, or his autobiographical Twenty Years on Broadway. And let his boldness encourage you to pursue your creative vision with equal parts heart and hustle.