---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal…"
description: "\"James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal thing.\" — John Krasinski"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg"
---

#  James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal thing.

![“James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal thing.” quote by John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg)

> “James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal thing.”

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The statement humorously critiques an unrealistic expectation of a baby resembling a famous actor.

**In simple terms:** A baby won’t look like James Cagney.

Key Takeaway

Don’t set absurd standards for appearance.

Themes

humor expectations media influence

Mood

lighthearted playful

Type

humorous satirical

When to use this quote

- parenting
- casting decisions
- advertising campaigns

Key Concepts

celebrity culture body image social media

Questions to Reflect On

- What unrealistic standards do we impose on children?
- How does media shape our expectations?

A Different Perspective

Humor may overlook genuine concerns about body image.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby/) [Cagney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cagney-249718/) [Cagney Baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cagney-baby-5279440/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james/) [James Cagney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james-cagney-249717/)

## Related quotes

> [A James Cagney love scene is one where he lets the other guy live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/a-james-cagney-love-scene-is-one-where-he-lets-the-other-guy-live/)

[Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/)

> [James Cagney, Steve McQueen, I loved all those guys. I grew up loving the movies but had no desire to be in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/james-cagney-steve-mcqueen-i-loved-all-those-guys-i-grew-up-loving/)

[Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/)

> [In the movies, Bette Davis lights two cigarettes and hands the second one to James Cagney. It was just so glamorous and romantic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loni-anderson/in-the-movies-bette-davis-lights-two-cigarettes-and-hands-the-second/)

[Loni Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loni-anderson/)

> [I don't think I was ever as fascinated or have had so much respect for anybody like James Cagney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milos-forman/i-don-t-think-i-was-ever-as-fascinated-or-have-had-so-much-respect/)

[Milos Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milos-forman/)

> [I grew up in an Irish Catholic family, and I think they force you to watch every James Cagney movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/i-grew-up-in-an-irish-catholic-family-and-i-think-they-force-you-to/)

[Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/)

> [John loved celebrity. We attended an American Film Institute dinner honoring James Cagney, and the room was filled with famous actors like Mae West,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-pang/john-loved-celebrity-we-attended-an-american-film-institute-dinner/)

[May Pang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-pang/)

> [Follow the wisdom of the great actor, James Cagney, you hit your mark, you look the other guy in the eye, and you tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-merchant/follow-the-wisdom-of-the-great-actor-james-cagney-you-hit-your-mark/)

[Larry Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-merchant/)

> [The old movie stars like Bogart, James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, they weren't this gorgeous, striking six-foot man who's rippled with muscles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-huston/the-old-movie-stars-like-bogart-james-cagney-jimmy-stewart-they-weren/)

[Jack Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-huston/)

> [But I've always believed that Christine Cagney shouldn't be played past a certain age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/but-i-ve-always-believed-that-christine-cagney-shouldn-t-be-played/)

[Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/)

> [“But he had always believed in fighting for the underdog, against the top dog. He had learned it, not from The Home, or The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jones/but-he-had-always-believed-in-fighting-for-the-underdog-against-the/)

[James Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jones/)

> [They were like little palaces: all rococo or art deco. You'd walk in off those hot streets into a nice, air-cooled theater, and you'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/they-were-like-little-palaces-all-rococo-or-art-deco-you-d-walk-in/)

[Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/)

> [“I’m told that Sherlock Holmes never said, “Elementary, my dear Watson” (at least in the Arthur Conan Doyle books) Jimmy Cagney never said, “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/i-m-told-that-sherlock-holmes-never-said-elementary-my-dear-watson-at/)

[Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/)

> [Before 'Cagney and Lacey,' we didn't follow officers home to find out what they did when they took their badges off and emptied their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyne-daly/before-cagney-and-lacey-we-didn-t-follow-officers-home-to-find-out/)

[Tyne Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyne-daly/)

> [I loved 'Cagney and Lacey;' they were absolutely awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-cox/i-loved-cagney-and-lacey-they-were-absolutely-awesome/)

[Sara Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-cox/)

> [Well what do you do with a character like Christine Cagney and you tell her she can't have things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/well-what-do-you-do-with-a-character-like-christine-cagney-and-you/)

[Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/)

## More by John Krasinski

> [I'm not going to pretend that bad things don't happen. I just hope my daughter has enough understanding that when they do, just give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/i-m-not-going-to-pretend-that-bad-things-don-t-happen-i-just-hope-my/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [Being funny is one of my greatest strengths. I can make girls smile when they're down, and when they're having a good time, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/being-funny-is-one-of-my-greatest-strengths-i-can-make-girls-smile/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [ Richard Jenkins read the script \[The Hollars\] and really liked it, but he said, 'If you can get Margo Martindale, I'll do it. Otherwise,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/richard-jenkins-read-the-script-the-hollars-and-really-liked-it-but/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [Trophies and medals have never meant much to me. I've had amazing experiences, which let you feel like you've accomplished something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/trophies-and-medals-have-never-meant-much-to-me-i-ve-had-amazing/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [Each cast member brings their own vibe and antics to the set. You're constantly surrounded by fun loving people who can make you laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/each-cast-member-brings-their-own-vibe-and-antics-to-the-set-you-re/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [ To be that big of a star and that grounded and that classy, I'm mean \[ George Clooney\] was a true mentor for me… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/to-be-that-big-of-a-star-and-that-grounded-and-that-classy-i-m-mean/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [I wanted to be an English teacher. I wanted to do it for the corduroy jackets with patches on the side. When I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/i-wanted-to-be-an-english-teacher-i-wanted-to-do-it-for-the-corduroy/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [For me, anything I do is totally up for conversation and it's not my right to be able to stop a person from writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/for-me-anything-i-do-is-totally-up-for-conversation-and-it-s-not-my/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [Writing and directing just sort of fell into my lap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/writing-and-directing-just-sort-of-fell-into-my-lap/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [I grew up with the Boston vibe and the Catholic vibe. I don't want to put anybody out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/i-grew-up-with-the-boston-vibe-and-the-catholic-vibe-i-don-t-want-to/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [There are always roles that seem enticing that you can't do because of scheduling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/there-are-always-roles-that-seem-enticing-that-you-can-t-do-because/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [I have no problem with people seeing me as the nice guy. I hope they don't see me as just the nice guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/i-have-no-problem-with-people-seeing-me-as-the-nice-guy-i-hope-they/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [It's not about celebrity or not. It's all about, do you have that 'girl in a cardigan' in you. You gotta have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/it-s-not-about-celebrity-or-not-it-s-all-about-do-you-have-that-girl/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [All I've ever wanted to do was be a great dad, and yet there's no stopping this existential mirror that's held up to yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/all-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-do-was-be-a-great-dad-and-yet-there-s-no/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

> [ We have the best writers in the business \[on The Office\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/we-have-the-best-writers-in-the-business-on-the-office/)

[John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

[Explore all 106 John Krasinski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/)

## More Baby quotes

> [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/)

[Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/)

> [“I looked down into my baby’s beautiful green eyes and ached inside. She looked up at me with wide-eyed innocence. I kissed her warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/i-looked-down-into-my-baby-s-beautiful-green-eyes-and-ached-inside/)

[Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/)

> [I've retired my sneakers for stilettos, baby!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivica-a-fox/i-ve-retired-my-sneakers-for-stilettos-baby/)

[Vivica A. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivica-a-fox/)

> [I didn't expect to be so comfortable handing my child off to a nanny without getting any of her information. As soon as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/i-didn-t-expect-to-be-so-comfortable-handing-my-child-off-to-a-nanny/)

[Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/)

> [And I gave you my all, now baby be mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashanti/and-i-gave-you-my-all-now-baby-be-mine/)

[Ashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashanti/)

> [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/)

[Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/)

> [Shhh.” He put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out. I cannot deny that I would've liked to have made babies with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shhh-he-put-a-finger-to-her-lips-hear-me-out-i-cannot-deny-that-i/)

[Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/)

> [I'm so happy baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashanti/i-m-so-happy-baby/)

[Ashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashanti/)

> [Weezy F. Baby. F. is fo' finisha:)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/weezy-f-baby-f-is-fo-finisha/)

[Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/)

> [Baby, I love you. We argue about the stupidest shit then we turn around and laugh about it. I'm obsessed with you and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay/baby-i-love-you-we-argue-about-the-stupidest-shit-then-we-turn-around/)

[Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay/)

> [My dad's Israeli. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/my-dad-s-israeli-he-was-born-in-baghdad-to-iraqi-jews-then-at-age-two/)

[Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/)

> [Michael Jackson has a new baby boy; no word yet who the father is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/michael-jackson-has-a-new-baby-boy-no-word-yet-who-the-father-is/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [I always wondered why babies spend so much time sucking their thumbs. Then I tasted baby food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-orben/i-always-wondered-why-babies-spend-so-much-time-sucking-their-thumbs/)

[Robert Orben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-orben/)

> [If all fooles had babies, wee should want fuell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-all-fooles-had-babies-wee-should-want-fuell/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [My baby girl Bella is growing up so fast I remember when she was soo tiny, it shows how much she has been loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal/my-baby-girl-bella-is-growing-up-so-fast-i-remember-when-she-was-soo/)

[Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal/)

[Browse all 5,822 Baby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal thing.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Krasinski"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-thing/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Baby"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-thing/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/john-krasinski-4756_baby_james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-t_1461146.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“James Cagney as a baby is not my ideal thing.” — John Krasinski",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Krasinski",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-krasinski/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "James Cagney as a baby is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-thing/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-krasinski/james-cagney-as-a-baby-is-not-my-ideal-thing/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
