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Gene Kelly
1912 - 1996
"If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando."
Judy Garland was given credit for getting him his first big film part in For Me and My Gal. He went on to star in dozens of films (including the big wet one), and received a special Oscar "for achievements in the art of choreography on film," for his role in An American in Paris. His talents didn't stop there. In 1969 he directed Barbara Streisand in Hello Dolly. Gene was given the honor of placing his feet in wet cement in the forecourt of Mann's Chinese Theater.
In 1984, fire struck the Kelly home at 725 N. Rodeo Drive. He and his children stood outside and watched the massive home burn to the ground, destroying a career of memorabilia, including his Oscar. He rebuilt the exact same house on the spot, using original blueprints. I guess they survived the fire.
Gene Kelly last danced on screen in 1980, with Olivia Newton John in Xanadu. I wonder if he regretted it. He spent the next several years hosting documentaries and touring the country as a lecturer.
In 1990, the 77 year old Kelly married 36 year old Patricia Ward, but his happiness was short lived. In 1994, he was hospitalized in San Francisco, after complaining of a headache and some pain. In July of that year, he suffered a massive stroke and was back for seven weeks in the UCLA Medical Center. The next February, he suffered another stroke, and so on, and so on… This guy had really been through the ringer. He was bedridden for the last months of his life, spending most of his time watching old movies on his VCR.
On Friday, Feb 2, 1996, he finally died "peacefully in his sleep" in his home. His wife was at his side. He was 83.
Gene was cremated at Westwood Memorial Park. His ashes were given to the family.
Trivia: Gene initially wanted to be a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and spent some time in law school. We're glad he chose the way he did. RIP.