James Francis Cagney , Jr. ( July 17 , 1899 -- March 30 , 1986 ) was an American movie actor who became very famous for many roles in his long career , and won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1942 for his role in Yankee Doodle Dandy . James Francis Cagney , Jr. ( July 17 , 1899 - March 30 , 1986 ) was an American film actor .