Some childhood moments shape us forever. For Ryan Cassidy, youngest son of Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy, one such transformative experience came during an afternoon with Hollywood legend James Cagney. Ryan joins us alongside co-author Johnny Ray Miller to discuss their heartwarming children's book "James Cagney Was My Babysitter" and the real-life encounter that inspired it.
The magic of this story lies not in celebrity name-dropping but in how Cagney approached his time with seven-year-old Ryan. Unlike many adults who treat children as secondary presences, Cagney made Ryan the focus, taking genuine interest in his thoughts and imagination. "He didn't make it at all about him, he made it about me," Ryan recalls, describing how Cagney's home—filled with fascinating miniature characters in display cases—created an environment where imagination flourished across generations. The drawing Cagney created specifically for Ryan remains one of his most treasured possessions decades later.
Ryan also shares his role as the Cassidy family historian, preserving Hollywood memorabilia including his father Jack Cassidy's recovered Tony Award and vintage suits from the 1930s. These artifacts aren't merely collectibles but connections to his father, who passed away when Ryan was just ten years old. Through these tangible links to the past, Ryan keeps his father's legacy alive while acknowledging both the positive attributes he inherited and the challenging traits he's worked not to pass on to his own daughter.
The conversation weaves between Ryan's cherished childhood experience with Cagney, his memories of growing up with famous parents, and his ongoing dedication to preserving Hollywood history. We even hear about his recent full-circle moment visiting Cagney's former home, where his book now sits in the very room where their memorable encounter took place decades ago. Join us for this touching exploration of how childhood connections can resonate throughout our lives and shape who we become.
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