James Francis Cagney, Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances,[3] he is best remembered for playing tough guys.[4] In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth among its 50 Greatest American Screen Legends.[5]