Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran Kelley (August 23, 1912 - February 2, 1996), stage name Gene Kelly, was best known as an American dancer in films, but was also an actor, singer, director and choreographer. An energetic and athletic performer, he was known for doing his own stunts.
Kelly was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1960.
Filmography
- For Me and My Gal (1942)
- Du Barry was a Lady (1943)
- Cover Girl (1944) - Kelly danced with himself through cinematography.
- Anchors Aweigh (1945) - First film to include animation with live-action, number involved was performed by himself and Jerry the mouse of Tom and Jerry.
- Ziegfeld Follies - Only film where Kelly and Fred Astaire appeared together.
- The Pirate (1948)
- On the Town (1949) - First musical film to be shot on location. In addition, directorial debut.
- Summer Stock (1950) - Judy Garland's final film at MGM Studio.
- An American in Paris (1951) - (Academy Award, special achievement, choreography)
- Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Brigadoon (1954)
- Invitation to the Dance (1956)
- Les Girls (1957) - Kelly's final film at MGM Studio. Also the last film Kelly danced in.
- Inherit the Wind (1960)
- What a Way to Go! (1964)
- The Young Girls Of Rochefort, (1967)
- Hello, Dolly (1969) - Directorial and choreography credits.
- Xanadu (1980)
Kelly was awarded a special Academy Award “in appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film” in 1951 and reawarded in 1984's Academy Awards due to a fire which burned down his home in the previous year.
And also the Life Achievement Award from American Film Institute in 1985
Kelly married three times:
- Betsy Blair (1940 - 1957) (one child, Kerry)
- Jeanne Coyne (1960 - 1973) (two children, Bridget and Tim)
- Patricia Ward (1990 - 1996)
First American to choreograph and stage at the ballet in a Paris Opera.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died in Beverly Hills, California.
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