George M. Cohan

Birth Name:

George Michael Cohan

Birth Place:

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Writer, Actor, Music department, Producer

An 8-foot-tall bronze statue of him was dedicated in Times Square at Broadway and 46th Street in New York City
Was awarded the Congressional Medal for his outstanding contributions to the American spirit, making him the first person in an artistic field selected for the honor
In 1970, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Joined his parents on stage in their traveling vaudeville show from infancy
Toured as the star of a show called "Peck's Bad Boy" and a child
Was the fourth member his family's vaudeville act The Four Cohans, playing violin and dancing
Quote: "I can write better plays than any living dancer and dance better than any living playwright․"
Was one of the early pioneers of the book musical, using song and dance to advance the plot of his everyman characters, not just as spectacle
Wrote many patriotic songs, including "Over There" and "You're a Grand Old Flag," which were attributed to boosting morale during World War I
A baseball fan, he often attended games of the former New York Giants

Fast Facts