Eugene Curran Kelly, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the third son of Harriet Catherine (Curran) and James Patrick Joseph Kelly, a phonograph salesman. His father was of Irish descent, and his mother was of Irish and German ancestry.
When Gene Kelly arrived in Hollywood in 1941, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the largest and most powerful studio, was the hub of the film industry. Kelly had just come from the hit 1940 original Broadway production of "Pal Joey" and planned to return to the stage after making his one required film. His first picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was For Me and My Gal (1942) with Judy Garland.
Kelly's decision to stay in Hollywood was largely due to the "kindred creative spirits" he found behind the scenes at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The talent pool was particularly abundant during World War II, when Hollywood served as a refuge for many musicians and performers from Europe who were forced to flee the Nazis. After the war, a new generation of artists emerged.
The 1951 film An American in Paris showcased Kelly's choreography and the 17-minute ballet sequence set to the title song written by George Gershwin. This sequence cost a half million dollars to produce in 1951 dollars. Another notable Kelly musical, Singin' in the Rain (1952),was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for its National Film Registry.
Gene Kelly's dance style was distinct, characterized by his athletic and masculine movements, which set him apart from Fred Astaire's top hat and tails. Kelly's legacy continued until his passing on February 2, 1996, at the age of 83, due to complications from two strokes, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.
