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Who Was Gene Kelly?
Gene Kelly was a groundbreaking American film actor, dancer, and director, renowned for his dynamic athleticism and innovative contributions to the movie musical genre. His blend of classical ballet technique with a bold, energetic style revolutionized the way dance was presented in film, incorporating solo performances, large ensemble choreography, and inventive camera work to create visually stunning narratives.
Kelly dominated Hollywood musicals in the 1940s and ’50s, not only starring in some of the genre’s most iconic films but also working behind the scenes as a choreographer and director. His most famous performance in Singin’ in the Rain (1952) is often hailed as one of the greatest dance sequences in cinematic history.
Early Life
Born on August 23, 1912, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kelly was one of five children raised in a working-class family. While many of his peers gravitated toward sports, Kelly pursued dance, honing his skills from a young age. To support himself through college, he taught dance at a local studio and performed with his brother, Fred.
Kelly’s talents soon brought him to Broadway, where he landed roles in musicals like Leave It to Me! and One For the Money. His breakthrough came in 1940 with the lead role in Pal Joey, a performance that caught the attention of MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer. Mayer offered Kelly a Hollywood contract, leading to his film debut opposite Judy Garland in For Me and My Gal (1942).
Movies and Career Highlights: Singin’ in the Rain
While often compared to fellow film dancer Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly developed a distinct style of his own. He introduced a more grounded, relatable approach to dance, often performing in everyday clothing and familiar settings. “All of my dancing came out of the idea of the common man,” Kelly once said, reflecting his desire to make dance more accessible to broader audiences.
Kelly pushed the boundaries of the movie musical with imaginative and innovative choreography. In Anchors Aweigh (1945), he danced alongside an animated character—a groundbreaking sequence at the time. In On the Town (1949), he choreographed sailors performing ballet, bringing a classical art form into the world of everyday life.
One of Kelly’s most celebrated works was An American in Paris (1951), where he choreographed a lengthy, intricate ballet sequence for the film’s finale. His work on the film earned him an honorary Academy Award for his “brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.”
The following year, Kelly co-directed and starred in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), one of the most beloved musicals of all time. His portrayal of silent film star Don Lockwood featured the famous scene where he dances joyfully in the rain, using an umbrella as a prop in a number that has since become iconic. Kelly explained that his inspiration for the routine came from watching children play in the rain.
Kelly’s later career included starring and directing roles in films such as Brigadoon (1954), It’s Always Fair Weather (1955), and Les Girls (1957). He also starred alongside Natalie Wood in the romantic drama Marjorie Morningstar (1960). Throughout his career, Kelly’s passion for blending storytelling and dance left a lasting impact on the musical genre, cementing his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most influential performers.
Later Years
As the popularity of movie musicals waned in the 1960s, Gene Kelly shifted his focus to television. He starred in two short-lived series: Going My Way, a television adaptation of the 1944 Bing Crosby film, and a 1971 variety show, The Funny Side. Kelly found greater success in 1967 with the television movie Jack and the Beanstalk, which he directed, produced, and starred in. The children’s film earned him an Emmy Award for his efforts. In 1973, Kelly also made a memorable guest appearance on Magnavox Presents Frank Sinatra, performing a medley with Sinatra that included “Can’t Do That Anymore,” “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” “For Me and My Gal,” and “New York, New York.”
Kelly continued to work in film during this period, appearing in notable productions such as the 1960 adaptation of Inherit the Wind alongside Spencer Tracy and Fredric March, and the 1964 comedy What a Way to Go!, featuring an ensemble cast that included Shirley MacLaine, Paul Newman, Dean Martin, and Dick Van Dyke. In the mid-1970s, Kelly co-hosted the documentary series That’s Entertainment!, helping to promote and preserve the legacy of Hollywood’s golden age of film musicals.
By the 1980s, Kelly had largely stepped away from acting. His final film appearance came in the 1980 musical fantasy Xanadu, where he starred alongside Olivia Newton-John. Though the film was a box-office disappointment at the time, it later gained cult status. On television, Kelly made occasional guest appearances on popular shows like The Muppet Show and The Love Boat, often appearing as himself on tribute specials.
Death and Legacy
In the mid-1990s, Kelly experienced a series of strokes. He passed away on February 2, 1996, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. His death was widely mourned by Hollywood, with his Singin’ in the Rain co-star Debbie Reynolds saying, “There’ll never be another Gene. I was only 18 when we made that movie, and the hardest thing was keeping up with his energy.”
In July 2012, the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City honored Kelly with a month-long retrospective, showcasing nearly two dozen of his films. His extraordinary contributions to cinema, particularly the world of musicals, continue to inspire generations of performers and audiences alike.