I don't think I was ever as fascinated or have had so much

In the words of Milos Forman, there is both reverence and wonder: “I don’t think I was ever as fascinated or have had so much respect for anybody like James Cagney.” These words, spoken by a master of cinema about another master, remind us that greatness recognizes greatness. They carry the weight of admiration not born from distance, but from deep understanding—an artist acknowledging another who set the stage ablaze with truth and fire.

The fascination Forman speaks of is not mere curiosity. It is the awe of one who sees in another’s work the embodiment of authenticity. James Cagney, though remembered by many for his tough-guy roles in gangster films, was more than an actor—he was a force of life. His presence on screen was electric, his movements sharp, his delivery alive with conviction. For Forman, himself a director who sought the pulse of human truth in films like Amadeus and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Cagney’s art was not performance alone—it was revelation.

The respect Forman expresses is the highest kind: not for wealth, nor for fame, but for dedication to craft. Cagney was known for his discipline, his refusal to be typecast, his insistence on dignity in his profession. He fought for fair treatment of actors in Hollywood, and he never allowed the glamour of stardom to compromise his principles. In admiring Cagney, Forman reveals the deeper truth that respect is earned not by appearances, but by integrity, courage, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

History gives us examples of such mutual reverence. Think of the Renaissance, when Michelangelo admired the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, even while carving his own immortal works. Or recall how Beethoven, though fierce in independence, bowed his spirit before the mastery of Mozart. In every age, the greatest souls recognize in one another a mirror of their own struggle for perfection. Forman’s words place him within this lineage, honoring Cagney as one who blazed a trail of artistic honesty.

The deeper meaning is that art is not simply entertainment, but the shaping of human spirit. When Cagney inhabited a role, he did not just play a character—he revealed the frailties, the strengths, the contradictions of humanity itself. Such work leaves an indelible mark, inspiring not only audiences but fellow artists. Forman’s fascination is the recognition that through Cagney, he glimpsed what art could be at its highest: a mirror to human truth, unflinching and alive.

The lesson for us is clear. Let us learn to respect not only those who achieve fame, but those who pursue their craft with honesty and passion. Seek out those who dedicate themselves fully, who refuse compromise with mediocrity, and let them inspire you in your own path. Whatever your field, strive to carry yourself with the integrity of a Cagney, the commitment that earns not shallow praise, but deep and lasting admiration.

Therefore, take Forman’s words as both tribute and instruction. Find those whose work awakens your fascination, study them, honor them, and let their greatness stir your own. And above all, remember that true respect is not given lightly—it is won by those who dare to live and work with unwavering truth. In this way, the admiration of Milos Forman for James Cagney becomes more than memory; it becomes a call for each of us to live in such a manner that others, too, may one day speak of us with awe and reverence.