After the lights

In the 1940's and 50's, Gene Kelly took storm in the film world with his musicals. We know he was featured in many hit Musical's such as An American in Paris and Singin' In the Rain. He starred in over ten films in those ten years and continued on in the 60's-80's. Of course, as taste in things like music and film changed, Kelly's acting had to as well. Gene had to retire out of musicals and start strictly to being an actor for film. No rehearsals, singing, or dancing was in his later films, because that is just not what people were in to anymore. He had to challenge himself more mentally this way, than he would've dancing.

Gene Kelly's first film, For Me and My Gal was produced in 1942, and his last one, Xanadu, was in 1980. His last film starred Olivia Newton-John, which didn't really become a hit until many years later. After Xanadu, Gene hung up the film life for good. He retired from the big screen, but appeared every now and again on the little screen. He had a few supporting roles and goes spots on shows such as The Muppet Show and Love boat.

Gene Kelly 10

In my previous blog about Kelly's three wives, it talked about his widow, Patricia Ward. Kelly Had met Ward when he was a host for a T.V. special on the Smithsonian. Kelly and Ward spent their lives together from 1990-1996. They had a beautiful home on Rodeo Dr, but with everything glamorous, came a bit of struggle. In 1994 and 1995, Kelly suffered a series of strokes. Kelly made it to the new year, but passed away soon after on February 2nd of 1996. Many hollywood celebrities and co-stars of Kelly, mourned the death of him. According to Biography.com, Debbie Reynolds said that "I was only 18 when we made that movie and the hardest thing was keeping up with his energy."Many people looked up to Kelly and Idolized him. He pushed people to the next limit, to make the scene absolutely perfect. He changed the way that people look at film and dancing, forever.