His early career was in vaudeville as a member of the two-man team of Kane & Herman.

Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), It's a Wonderful Life (1946), and The Ten Commandments (1956).

Kane appeared in three Academy Award for Best Picture winners: The Broadway Melody (1929), It Happened One Night (1934) and You Can't Take It with You (1938).

Late in his career, Kane made a few appearances on television including the role of Mr. Monahan, Ralph Kramden's Gotham Bus Company boss on The Honeymooners.

[citation needed] List of actors who have appeared in multiple Best Picture Academy Award winners