Gene Kelly

Eugene Curran "Gene" Kelly was born August 23, 1912. Kelly was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, singer and film director. His best known performances included An American in Paris (1951) and Singin' in the Rain (1952). He transformed the Hollywood musical and made the ballet form acceptable to audiences.

Gene Kelly received an Academy Honorary Award in 1952 for his achievements. In 1982 he received lifetime achievement awards in the Kennedy Center Honors. Kelly was awarded accolades from the Screen Actors Guild and American Film Institute.

As a boy growing up in Pittsburgh, Kelly dreamed of playing shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Instead he turned to dance. Kelly and his brother worked up dance routines to earn prize money in local talent contests. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Arts Economic degree at the University of Pittsburgh but stayed true to dance.

In 1938 Kelly found work as a dancer in Cole Porter's Leave it to Me! He moved on to dance in One for the Money. Kelly danced the leading role in Rodgers and Hart's Pal Joey. Additional movie credits include For Me and My Gal with Judy Garland, Du Barry Was a Lady with Lucille Ball. Kelly choreographed his next picture Thousands Cheer. Kelly's iconic mock-love dance with a mop thrilled audiences.

Kelly danced with Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl (1944) and in 1945 he danced in Anchors Aweigh with Frank Sinatra. This film garnered Kelly an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. In 1944 Kelly enlisted in the US Naval Air Service where he wrote and directed documentaries.

Kelly's career persevered through the 1950s with several successful films. In 1962-63 he appeared as Father O'Malley in Going My Way. Kelly worked with Frank Sinatra in Sinatra's music specials and lent his voice to Family Guy.
Kelly's suffered strokes in 1994 and in 1995. He passed away February 2, 1996. He was cremated without a memorial or funeral service.