American songwriter, playwright, and producer
George M.
Cohan is best known for his theatrical productions. His persona was the epitome of what it meant to be a song-and-dance man. The majority of
Cohan's productions were for vaudeville; however, his musical comedies melded into such works as
Little Johnny Jones, which was partially an autobiographical sketch that he wrote, starred in, and composed. From this production came such memorable hits as "Yankee Doodle Boy" and "Give My Regards to Broadway." Two broadway plays were based on his life, and his song "Over There" was one of the most inspirational songs during World War I.
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Keith Johnson, Rovi