James J. Braddock - Guestbook

Welcome to the official guestbook of the James J Braddock website. Due to spam, we have been forced stop guestbook entries.

Nevermind being a champion at boxing, but more so as a father and husband, and especially an Irishman. It takes a great movie like this to make us 2nd and 3rd, and 4th generation Irish realize how tough it once was for all of us and how lucky we are today because of the courage and determination of so many.

What a fantastic and inspiring film! I was truly touched by how James J. Braddock lived such an honorable life. One can tell that he was a man of character, and that he always believed in doing what was right. The 1930's was a hard time for most people back then, just trying to survive from day to day wondering where you were going to find your next meal. It made me proud as a father when Jim Braddock escorted his son to the local butcher to return the meat he had stolen. I was also touched when he paid back the money he received from the public assistance office. You just don't meet people of his character every day!! It makes me proud to be Irish!!!

I was touched by Mr. Braddock's love for his family, how warm, romantic and patient he was towards his kids and wife.

After watching the movie "Cinderella Man" I wanted to learn more about this man James Braddock and found this website. What an inspiration to us all - he never let his situation get the best of him, he fought for his family and lived by his beliefs.

Film depicts him as a gentle and classy man. The pictures in the picture gallery seem to confirm this.

Great movie about a great man.

what a great movie ! seen it over and over again ! a true inspiration for us all. james braddock is a great man in history ! thanks for this website :)

Mr.James J. Braddock was a real hero.
I am sure his family is very proud of him.

I really enjoyed the movie, Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe. I admire Mr. Braddock for his courage and spirit. Jim's never-say-die attitude is a great role model for young people like myself. Rest in Peace, Cinderella Man!

Hi. Beautiful website very good work and nice design! I am impressed. A lot of interesting info. Thanks.

Among the august pantheon of my lifelong heros now sits James J. Braddock. What he left humanity is priceless, and for those who seek honor, dignity, ritghteousness,courage and most of all the key to love, he is an eternal fountain that we can all drink from.

My great uncle lived in North Bergen next door to James J Braddock. My father knew him always said he had been a great champion, but it wasn't until I saw the movie did I realize that my father wasn't just referring to his boxing skills, but of his character as well. He didn't surround himself with cars, jewelry, women and a posse. He surrounded himself with his family. What an incredible and inspirational story, one a Hollywood screenplay writer could never have written. He epitomizes what a true American hero really is.
God Bless Him!!!

a rags to riches story that inspires us all to better than we are, truly one of the greats.

Hello! First time here. This site is very interesting. I like it! Best Wishes. Dorothy.

After the Film of J. Braddock, I just want to say, that he is an idol for me. It is sensationally which this man achieved in his life!!

Greatings from Graz!

To see the movie and the info of what I have learned from the site has brought inspiration to me. To see a man trying to hold his life and his family together, and putting himself last. Going hungry so his kids can have alittle extra..This is a true hero in my book.

After trying for several weeks, I was finally able to rent a copy of 'Cinderella Man'. My local blockbuster hasn't had an available copy since they've gotten in the store; the sales clerk said the copies fly off the shelves - re-rented within minutes each time they have been returned. And after I had the chance to finally view it, I understand why the film is such a hot commodity.

I was absolutely enamored with the movie, and the story of James J. Braddock. The movie is, undoubtedly, one of my favorite movies of all time. I watched it 2 nights in a row, returned it - and then purchased a new copy to add to our library.

While I have not ever followed the sport of boxing - I, as with most people, are familiar with many of their names, ie: Joe Lewis, Max Baer, Joe Frasier, Larry Holmes, and of course Mohammed Ali, etc, etc. Although - I had never in my life heard the name James Braddock. Moreso - I have lived my entire life in NJ, and still never heard of him.

It seems Mr. Braddock had somehow, for some neglectful reason, slipped through history. Yet, his triumphic, inspiring, and endearing life-story, on so many levels, was one that needed to be told -- It is so wonderful that Ron Howard shared his story in such a moving way. What a heartwarming life of family values and love, determination and earned-reward, and moreover survival in such a dark period of this country's history. A true inspiration for all.

James Braddock was a national treasure, and it warms my heart to see him being aknowledged as such with this movie. And as a fellow NJ resident, I would like to see his life be memorialized in the form of a monument, or the similiar, somewhere along the Hudson in Bergen County.

Braddock family: if you would like to work with local state legislatures for this - I, as I am sure countless others, would gladly sign a petition if you attach it on this site. What a truly moving story; that of g-grandfather.

Kind Regards, Deana Kiser
Stewartsville, NJ

The clearest message I rec'd from the movie is that James Braddock loved his family very much and they were the most important part of his life. His motivation was to provide for his family. What a great man.

I grew up across Park Ave. and down three houses from Jim Braddock's house in North Bergen. He was 14 years older than my dad, who, as a general contractor, did a lot of work for Jimmy. My father spoke highly of him, saying he was a down to earth guy, etc. I met him a few times and he was VERY nice. When I used to collect donations for the catholic high school I went to, he would always give something. His wife, who I only remember meeting once, was pretty grouchy on that one occasion.

I knew Jim's son Jay a little, and used to have beers with him at the Black Horse (tavern) on Broadway in N.B., even though he was quite a bit older than me. He was a real mensch, just like his father. Daughter Rosemary was a also a lovely person. Unfortunately, Jay died in 2001 and Rosemary died before that. I never knew son Howard. In fact, I didn't know there was a Howard until I saw the film.

The film does what Hollywood films do, that is, exaggerates some things and glosses over what isn't convenient, but as far as its depiction of his character, you can take it from one of the neighbors that he was well-loved and respected.

If James Braddock was a 1/10 of the man he is in the movie, it'd still be a great story. Loved the movie, one of the best I've ever seen. Truly inspiring.

I just want to say thank you for sharing your family's story with others. The movie was one of the best movies I have ever seen and the strengh and love of the Braddocks was so moving. I'm recently a mother with a family and there have been times when I thought the stress would break me, but after watching the movie and reading this site, I know that no matter how hard life is, as long as you have family, you have everything you need. So thank you for showing that to me in a way that I will always remember.

I just finished watching the film and I was never a fan of boxing movies until I saw this one. I was very moved and can truly say that James J. Braddock was a wonderful human being. He will be remembered.

Thank you for filling in some of the missing information about James Braddock that was not provided in the movie. He was a very special person! Did he ever reconcile his feelings toward the Catholic Church?

My Dad used to rave about Jame J. Braddock when I was growing up in Ireland and he was a big fight fan Never realised why until I saw the movie...makes me proud to be Irish

Jim Braddock makes me so proud to be Irish. God Bless you and your family!!