Beginning with Cover
Girl (1944), for which he was loaned out to Columbia, Kelly's free-flowing,
imaginative dance routines revolutionized the Hollywood musical, infusing
it with freshness and vitality. He was nominated for a best actor
Oscar for Anchors Aweigh (1945). Following the success of
On the Town (1949), the first of three sparkling musicals that Kelly
also co-directed with Stanley DONEN, he succeeded
Fred ASTAIRE as Hollywood's number one dancing master. He has been
less successful, however, in his several outings as a straight dramatic
actor. In 1951 he received a Special Academy Award "in appreciation
of his versatility as actor, singer, director and dancer, and especially
for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film."
His first effort as a solo director, Invitation to the Dance (1956),
a musical with no dialogue, won the Grand Prize at the West Berlin Film
Festival. His subsequent product as director has been proficiently
handled but far less inspired than his dancing and choreography.
After choreographing the ballet 'Pas de Deus' for the Paris Opera in 1960,
he was given the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French government.
He was honored with Life Achievement Awards from the Kennedy Center in
1982 and the American Film Institute in 1985. Still vital in his
80s, he survived the complete destruction of his home to a fire that was
at first thought to have claimed his Academy Award, and in 1993 he was
asked by Madonna for professional input into the choreography of a Singin'
in the Rain homage for her world tour. Kelly's first wife (1940-57)
was actress Betsy BLAIR. In 1960 he married
former dancing assistant Jean Coyne, who died in 1973. In 1990 he
married Patricia Ward, a young writer he had hired to collaborate on his
memoirs.
<from The Film Encyclopedia>
Filmography 
For Me and My Gal (1942)
Gene Kelly's screen debut, co-starring Judy Garland in this good-time tale
of a vaudeville
duo who buck tank towns, tough times and World War I on the way to show
biz success.
DuBarry Was a Lady (1943)
Lucille Ball and Red Skelton top the cast of the screen version of Cole
Porter's
Broadway hit musical.
Thousands Cheer (1943)
This star-spangled musical treat starring Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson.
With Judy
Garland, Mickey Rooney, Red Skelton and Lucille Ball.
Anchors Aweigh (1945)
Dazzling dance numbers with the legendary talents of Gene Kelly,
Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson.
Ziegfeld Follies (1946)
Here is a spectacular to top all spectaculars! MGM made film history when
it called up
20 of its all-time greatest stars - including Fred Astaire, Judy Garland,
William Powell,
Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Red Skelton and Lucille Ball - for this lavish
salute to
Broadway's most opulent producer of stage reviews.
Living In A Big Way (1947)
Gene Kelly returns home to the war bride he scarcely knows and finds she
has
misgivings about their impulsive nuptials.
The Pirate (1947)
An exhilarating, tongue-in-cheek Cole Porter showcase about a traveling
actor who
pretends to be a pirate to steal a Caribbean lady from her intended.
The Three Musketeers (1948)
Gene Kelly and Lana Turner head a glittering cast in MGM's opulent, swashbuckling
version of Dumas' classic tale of adventure in the court of Louis XIII.
Words and Music (1948)
Lavish production numbers, smart tunes and a constellation of celebrities
to deliver them
in elegant style!
On the Town (1949)
Co-starring Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin who go on a Manhattan spree
during their
one-day military leave.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949)
Two baseball pros, who moonlight as song-and-dance men, find their team's
new owner
a delight.
Summer Stock (1950)
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly sing and dance their way through this delightful
musical
about the folks in a sleepy farm community mixed up with city slickers.
Singin' in the Rain (1951)
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds star in the best known
of all
Hollywood musicals filled with songs, dances and a beautiful dance finale
with Cyd
Charisse.
An American In Paris (1951)
Co-starring Leslie Caron and the glorious melodies of George Gershwin.
Brigadoon (1954)
Gene Kelly and Van Johnson vacationing in Scotland, stumble upon a magical
18th-
century village.
Deep in My Heart (1954)
Co-starring Jose Ferrer and the beautiful Merle Oberon, join in a celebration
of musical
magic.
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
This dancing story revolves around the ten-year reunion of three war buddies
who
discover that while friendship changes over time, having fun definitely
does not.
Invitation to Dance (1956)
Gene Kelly brings his remarkable talents as star, director and choreographer
to this
glittering gala of music and dance.
Les Girls (1957)
A delightful romantic musical comedy featuring a lilting Cole Porter score
and parkling
performances by Gene Kelly, Kay Kendall, Mitzi Gaynor and Taina Elg at
their dancing,
singing, comic best.
Inherit the Wind (1960)
Based on the famous Scopes evolution trial in Tennessee, this film stars
legends Spencer
Tracy and Fredric March. Gene appears in one of his rare but compelling
dramatic roles.
That's Entertainment! (1974)
MGM celebrated its golden 50th anniversary with this collection of dazzling
show
stoppers from 100 of its greatest musicals.
That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)
Hollywood's brightest stars blaze across the screen in this anthology of
priceless
moments from 75 comedies, musicals and drama from MGM.
That's Dancing! (1985)
Over fifty famous dancers from Astaire to Travolta appear in musical sequences
that
capture dance's boundless joy and magic.
That's Entertainment, Part III (1994)
Join nine of MGM's brightest stars -- June Allyson, Cyd Charisse, Lena
Horne, Howard
Keel, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Esther
Williams --
as they take you on a sensational journey back to the grandest of all times
-- the golden
era of the MGM musical.
Photo Gallery