George Michael Cohan (July 3, 1878 – November 5, 1942)

George M. Cohan was a playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer,
dancer and producer. He began his career as a child, performing with
his parents and sister in a vaudeville act known as "The Four Cohans.

He is considered the father of American musical comedy. His life and
music were depicted in the Academy Award-winning film Yankee Doodle
Dandy (1942) and the 1968 musical George M!. A statue of Cohan in
Times Square in New York City commemorates his contributions to
American musical theatre.