Guide Note: Gene Kelly, was an American dancer, actor, singer, director, producer, and choreographer with a strong work ethic who was told early in his career that he would never make it big. Preferring sports to dancing lessons when he was young, he learned to fight to avoid being called a sissy. Always an innovator, he is credited with creating dances unique to film.
Fast Facts:
- Born Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23, 1912
- Had a 103-degree fever when he danced to the title song in Singin' in the Rain
- Asked Fred Astaire to replace him in Easter Parade (1948) after Gene broke his ankle playing touch football
- Was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton in 1994, but was too sick to attend the ceremony
- 15 on the list of the Greatest Male Lead Actors by the American Film Institute
- Missed out on opportunities to star in the film versions of Guys and Dolls and Pal Joey (a role he originated on Broadway) because MGM refused to loan him out to other studios
- Quote: "I got started dancing because I knew it was one way to meet girls"
