Gene Kelly's Impressive Career In Memoriam

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Gene Kelly

Born on August 23, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gene Kelly born with the dancing gene! After completing his studies at University of Pennsylvania, Kelly went on to pursue his real dreams of being on stage and entertaining! He headed to New York where he'd star in some of the most classic musicals, including An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain... check out some of Kelly's most incredible pieces!

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Gene Kelly 'For Me and My Gal'

In Gene Kelly's film debut, he starred alongside the beautiful and timeless Judy Garland in the 1942 musical For Me and My Gal. The film was based off the life of real vaudeville actors Harry Palmer and Jo Hayden. This film would be the first of many other MGM successes for Kelly!

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Gene Kelly 'Cover Girl'

Kelly's next major film would be in 1944's Cover Girl, starring opposite Rita Hayworth. The musical is centered around Hayworth's character being given a chance to be on the cover of a magazine, and Kelly portrays her boyfriend in the comedy! Cover Girl was one of the biggest musical successes of the war years.

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Gene Kelly 'On the Town'

On the Town was a technicolor musical film that included these three studs: Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, and Gene Kelly. The film won an Oscar for Best Music—Scoring of a Musical Picture and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Cinematography! Sinatra also sang the hit song "New York, New York" for the film and it has since become one his most iconic songs to this day!

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Gene Kelly 'An American in Paris'

Another one of Gene Kelly's most classic films: An American in Paris. The musical film became an immediate success upon its release - it was up for eight Oscar nominations, winning six of them! Kelly starred alongside Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary and Nina Foch. His role as "Jerry Mulligan" also earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy!

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Gene Kelly 'Singin' in the Rain'

The iconic film you've all been waiting for... Singin' in the Rain! The 1952 romantic-comedy musical included the legendary Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Jean Hagen, and of course, Gene Kelly. Singin' in the Rain was nominated for two Academy Awards - one for Hagen's role and one for Best Original Score. It was also one of the first 25 films selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The film itself was directed and choreographed by Kelly and Stanley Donan! What a classic, fun musical Singin' in the Rain is!

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Gene Kelly 'Invitation to Dance'

In 1956, Gene would star in a new type of film genre in Invitation to Dance. The film is an anthology film which comprises of three different pieces, all directed and starring Kelly. The film is different in the regard that there's no spoken dialogue, but rather, consists of miming and dancing. While it didn't land so well in the box office, it still is a culturally notable piece worthy of checking out!

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Gene Kelly 'Les Girls'

In Gene Kelly's last musical under contract with MGM, he starred alongside beauties Kay Kendall, Mitzi Gaynor and Taina Elg in 1957's Les Girls. The film won two Academy Awards and received the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy.

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Gene Kelly 'Inherit the Wind'

As the musical film genre started to die down in Hollywood, Kelly took part in acting roles outside of dancing and singing, including 1960's Inherit the Wind. In the film, he stars as "E. K. Hornbeck", a prominent newspaperman. He would star in a few other non-musical films after this, including What a Way to Go! (1964) and A Guide for the Married Man (1967).

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Gene Kelly 'That's Entertainment!'

In Gene Kelly's final film appearance, he hosted the compilation films That's Entertainment!, That's Entertainment! II and That's Entertainment! III (pictures here with Fred Astaire). The film is focused on unreleased footage of the acting greats of old Hollywood, including Judy Garland and Clark Gable.

At 83 years old, Gene Kelly passed away on February 2, 1996 in Beverly Hills due to a stroke. He is remembered today for his incredible contributions to both film and the musical genre!

Gene Kelly Singin' in the Rain became one of the most well-renowned musical comedies after its release in 1952! For Gene Kelly, this film was just one of many successes for the late actor. Check out more on Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain and other hit movies!

Gene Kelly Singin' in the Rain and other successes

Born on August 23, 1912, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gene Kelly of Singin' in the Rain was born into a working-class family. After completing his university, he went on to pursue his real dreams of being on stage and entertaining!

From the 1940s onward, Gene Kelly would be in some of the most iconic musical films that are still favorites today, including On the Town and An American in Paris.

Gene Kelly of Singin' in the Rain sadly passed away from a stroke on February 2, 1996, at the age of 83. He is remembered for his stage presence and his charismatic attitude on and off-screen, and has been continued to be honored posthumously.