Cohan, George M.

Born into a vaudeville family on July 3 (according to his birth certificate) or 4 (according to legend), 1878, in Providence, Rhode Island, George Michael Cohan made his stage debut at the age of three, billed as “Master Georgie—Violin Tricks and Tinkling Tunes.” He toured with his parents and sister, Josephine (“Josie”), as “The Four Cohans,” and by the age of 13 was writing sketches and songs for the family act. In 1901, Cohan fleshed...