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GEORGE M. COHAN
At the south end of Duffy Square stands a bronze statue depicting George M. Cohan (1878-1942), the great American composer, playwright, actor and producer. Cohan's parents were in show business, and at an early age he performed in vaudeville as well as on the "legitimate stage." Besides acting, singing and dancing, Cohan began to write plays and songs in his youth. Several of his songs, such as "Give my regards to Broadway," "Over There," and "You're a Grand Old Flag," have become timeless standards. Cohan was the quintessential showman, often combining patriotic fervor with Broadway razzle-dazzle. In 1942, James Cagney won an Academy Award as Best Actor for his portrayal of Cohan in the film Yankee Doodle Dandy. On September 11, 1959, the Cohan statue was formally unveiled and accepted on behalf of the city by Mayor Robert F. Wagner.
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