Gene Kelly

Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American tap dancer, singer, actor, film director, and choreographer. He has starred in some of the most iconic classic American musical films, including Singin' in the Rain, An American in Paris, and Anchors Aweigh, among others.
In 1952, he received an Honorary Academy Award for his contributions to Hollywood. He also received honors from the Kennedy Center Honors (1982), the American Film Institute, and the Screen Actors Guild. The AFI ranks Gene Kelly as the 15th greatest male film actor of all time in its 100 Years... 100 Stars list.
== Life ==
Gene Kelly was born Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23, 1912, in Pittsburgh. During the Great Depression when he was in high school, he helped make money for his family by tap dancing. After he graduated from Peabody High School and later the University of Pittsburgh, he tried to find work in New York City, but failed. After a prolonged search for work, he was hired as choreographer for the musical Hold Your Hats in his hometown in 1938. Talent scouts from Broadway discovered him a few months later, he was hired as a choreographer and lead dancer for the five-act drama Time of Your Life. His career shot upwards when he was hired as the leading actor for the Rodgers and Hart Broadway production, Pal Joey. Soon, David O. Selznick of Selznick International Pictures signed Gene Kelly into a contract, and his first film was For Me and My Gal, in which Kelly played opposite Judy Garland as an aspiring vaudeville actor trying to find a leading lady for his double act.
Kelly's contract was then picked up by Selznick's good friend Arthur Freed, of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he starred in such films like DuBarry was a Lady, Thousands Cheer, Cover Girl, Anchors Aweigh, and The Pirate, just to name a few.
The early 1950s marked a peak in Kelly's career. An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain received great reviews grossed excellently, while It's Always Fair Weather, although a box office flop, was praised by the critics, and the three of them are now considered must-see classics.
By the late 1950s into the 1960s, tap dancing musicals fell out of favor, so Kelly stopped acting in dancing roles and instead took up dramatic and, occasionally, singing roles. By the 1960s, Kelly took up directing. Some of his directing roles include Gigot (1962), A Guide for the Married Man (1966), Hello, Dolly! (1969) The Cheyenne Social Club (1971), and That's Entertainment! Part 2 (1975). His dramatic credits include Inherit the Wind (1960), Jack and the Beanstalk (1967), and Viva Knievel! (1976).
Kelly suffered two strokes in 1994 and 1995 before dying on February 2, 1996. His body was cremated and no funeral was organized.
== Personal life ==
=== Religious views ===
Kelly was born and raised a devout Catholic, but because the Roman Catholic Church supported the rule of Francisco Franco, he officially severed his ties with the Church in 1939. He lived the remainder of his life as an agnostic.
=== Political views ===
Kelly was a Democrat, but officials suspected that his wife, actress Betsy Blair was Communist, and the should be removed from MGM. Kelly successfully bailed her out by threatening to withdraw from the production of It's Always Fair Weather.
== Awards and honors ==
Kelly won numerous awards in his lifetime and even a few after his death. For more information, visit Wikipedia's article of Gene Kelly.
==Filmography==
===Film===
Year	Title 	Role
1942	For Me and My Gal 	Harry Palmer
1943	Thousands Cheer 	Eddie Marsh
1944	Christmas Holiday 	Robert Monet
1945	Cover Girl 	Danny MacGuire
1946	Anchors Aweigh 	Joseph Brady
1947	Ziegfeld Follies 	Cameo appearance (himself)
1948	The Pirate 	Serafin
1949	On the Town 	Gabey, sailor
1950	Summer Stock 	Joe Ross
1951	An American in Paris 	Jerry Mulligan
1952	Singin' in the Rain 	Don Lockwood
1953	The Black Hand 	Johnny Columbus
1954	Brigadoon 	Tommy Albright
1955	It's Always Fair Weather 	Teddy Riley
1957	Marjorie Morningstar 	Airman Noel
1959	Let's Make Love 	Gene Kelly
1962	Inherit the Wind 	Hornbeck
1966	The Young Girls of Rochefort	Andy Miller
1971	Forty Carats 	Bill Boylan
1977	Xanadu 	Danny MacGuire
1984	North and South 	Charles Edwards
===Television===
Year	Title 	Role
1958	Omnibus 	Gene Kelly
1962	Going My Way 	Chuck O'Malley
1965	Gene Kelly in New York, New York 	Himself
1966	The Julie Andrews Show 	Himself
1970	The Funny Side 	Gene Kelly (himself)
1973	Magnavox Presents Frank Sinatra 	Himself
1977	Gene Kelly: An American in Pasadena	Himself
1979	The Mary Tyler Moore Hour 	Himself
1980	The Muppet Show 	Himself
1984	The Love Boat 	Charles Dane
1985	North and South 	Sen. Charles Edwards
1986	Sins 	Eric Hoffland
2007	Family Guy 	Archive footage