Intermediate Jazz History

Eugene (Gene) Kelly

Born on August 23, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was James Kelly, a phonograph salesman who made only a modest living for his family. His mother, Harriet Curran, introduced Gene and his four siblings to the arts. When Gene was eight years old, the Kelly children, Jay, Jim, Gene, Louise, and Fred were performing dance routines at amateur vaudeville nights. They were known as "The Five Kellys." Interestingly, Gene preferred sports to dancing and aspired to play professional baseball. However, he realized that girls liked boys who could dance so he began to enjoy it.

College and Dance:

Gene enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in 1931 to study economics, earning his degree in 1933. During the same time, his family opened a dance school, "The Gene Kelly Studio of the Dance." Gene so enjoyed teaching at the studio that he decided to pursue a career as a dance teacher and entertainer full-time. In 1937, he moved to New York City to find work as a choreographer.

Dancing on Broadway:

Gene's first job on Broadway was as a dancer in "Leave It to Me," but is considered today as the debut of Mary Martin, not of Gene. His next role was in "One for the Money," which was slightly larger. A big break came next for Gene when he starred as Harry the Hoofer in "The Time of Your Life," a play that won the Drama Critic's Award that year. It was the first time on Broadway that Gene danced to his own choreography. Around the same time Gene met his future wife, Betsy Blair. They were married on October 16, 1941.

On to Hollywood

Gene's Hollywood debut was a role in "For Me and My Gal" with Judy Garland. He quickly learned that dancing on film was much different than dancing live on stage. The film was a success, and Gene credited Judy with teaching him about the movies.His next role was the male lead in "Du Barry Was a Lady," opposite Lucille Ball. He got the opportunity to dance to his own choreography in his next picture, "Thousands Cheer," where he performed a romantic dance with a household mop. His breakthrough as a dancer on film arrived when he played opposite Rita Hayworth in "Cover Girl," in which he danced to his own reflection.After joining the army for a time during World War II, Gene completed several successful movies. Possibly his most memorable role was "Singing' in the Rain." A bit overshadowed by "An American in Paris" at the time, it has since become one of America's most popular musicals.