Jeanne Carolyn Cagney, a stunning dark-haired beauty, was born on March 25, 1919, in New York City, just a few months after the end of World War I. Raised by her widowed mother alongside her four brothers, including the renowned actor James Cagney and William Cagney, Jeanne majored in French and German during her high school years at Hunter College High School.
During her time at Hunter College, she actively participated in plays produced by the Hunter College of City College of New York. After graduating from college, Jeanne pursued her passion for acting by studying at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse in California.
Jeanne's movie career began in 1939 with a role in the obscure comedy All Women Have Secrets, followed by an appearance on Bing Crosby's radio program. However, it wasn't until her role in the highly-acclaimed biographical musical Yankee Doodle Dandy in 1942 alongside her brother James that she gained recognition. James won an Academy Award for his performance as George M. Cohan in the film.
Jeanne continued to make sporadic appearances in film and television until her retirement from acting in 1965. Some of her notable movies include Quicksand, where she played a femme fatale, and the Marilyn Monroe thriller Don't Bother to Knock. She also collaborated with her brother James on several films, including The Time of Your Life, A Lion Is in the Streets, and Man of a Thousand Faces.
In addition to her film work, Jeanne appeared on stage in a production of 'The Iceman Cometh' in 1948. Jeanne was married to actor Ross Latimer from 1944 to 1952 and later wed Jack Sherman Morrison, a faculty member in theater arts at UCLA, in 1953. The couple had two daughters, Mary and Terry, before divorcing in 1973.
Tragically, Jeanne was diagnosed with lung cancer later in life and passed away on December 7, 1984, at the age of 65. Although she may not be a household name, Jeanne Cagney is still remembered today by enthusiasts of 1940s and 1950s cinema for her contributions to the film industry.
