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.