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Gene Kelly
Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer · Public domain

Dancer Actor

Gene Kelly American Dancer Born 1912 in Pittsburgh

Gene Kelly · film actor and singer · American

53credits listed

Known for

Biography

Gene Kelly (1912–1996) was an American dancer and actor from Pittsburgh. His death was on 2 February 1996, at the age of 83. The recorded cause of death is stroke. His best-known titles on this site are Hello, Dolly! (1969) and What a Way to Go! (1964).

Early life

He went on to study at University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University and Peabody High School.

Career

Gene Kelly’s releases on record are 2 albums and one single between 1948 and 1952. He released The Pirate (1948) early on, and Singin' in the Rain / All I Do Is Dream of You (1952) is the latest entry. The style on record is musical film and comedy film.

Judy Garland appears in six of his listed titles, including Ziegfeld Follies (1945) and Summer Stock (1950). Other co-stars who recur in his credits are Frank Sinatra (three titles) and Elizabeth Taylor (two titles).

Recognition

His awards include an Academy Honorary Award (1951). His other honours include a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (1981) and the Golden Bear (1956) for Invitation to the Dance. The nominations list includes the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1946 for Anchors Aweigh. The records list 10 awards won and one nomination for him.

Personal life

Marriages on record are to Betsy Blair (1941 to 1957, divorced) and Jeanne Coyne (1960 to 1973, widowed). He had 3 children on record.

Discography

3 releases
YearTitleType
1952Singin' in the Rain / All I Do Is Dream of YouSingle
1950Summer StockAlbum
1948The PirateAlbum

Awards and nominations

10 won, 1 nominated
YearAwardForResult
1985AFI Life Achievement AwardWon
1981Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille AwardWon
1967Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Animated ProgramJack and the BeanstalkWon
1956Golden BearInvitation to the DanceWon
1951Academy Honorary AwardWon
Kennedy Center HonorsWon
Knight of the Legion of HonourWon
National Medal of ArtsWon
SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement AwardWon
star on Hollywood Walk of FameWon
1946Academy Award for Best ActorAnchors AweighNominated

Filmography

53 credits
YearTitleRoleType
1994That's Entertainment! IIIFilm
1993The Young Girls Turn 25Film
1985–1994North and SouthTV series
1985That's Dancing!Film
1981ReporterFilm
1980XanaduDanny McGuireFilm
1977Viva Knievel!Film
1976That's Entertainment, Part IIDirectorFilm
1974That's Entertainment!Film
197340 CaratsFilm
1971–The Funny SideTV series
1970The Cheyenne Social ClubDirectorFilm
1969Hello, Dolly!DirectorFilm
1967A Guide for the Married ManDirectorFilm
1967Jack and the BeanstalkDirectorFilm
Show all 53 credits
YearTitleRoleType
1967The Young Girls of RochefortFilm
1964What a Way to Go!Film
1962GigotDirectorFilm
1962–Going My WayTV series
1960Inherit the WindH. L. MenckenFilm
1960Let's Make LoveFilm
1958Marjorie MorningstarFilm
1958The Tunnel of LoveDirectorFilm
1957Les GirlsFilm
1957The Happy RoadDirectorFilm
1956Invitation to the DanceDirector, WriterFilm
1955It's Always Fair WeatherDirectorFilm
1954BrigadoonFilm
1954Deep in My HeartFilm
1954Seagulls Over SorrentoFilm
1952Love Is Better Than EverFilm
1952Singin' in the RainDirectorFilm
1952The Devil Makes ThreeFilm
1951An American in ParisFilm
1951It's a Big CountryFilm
1950Black HandFilm
1950Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture LeadershipFilm
1950Summer StockFilm
1950Take Me Out to the Ball GameFilm
1949On the TownDirectorFilm
1948The PirateFilm
1948The Three MusketeersD'ArtagnanFilm
1948Words and MusicFilm
1947Living in a Big WayFilm
1945Anchors AweighFilm
1945Ziegfeld FolliesFilm
1944Christmas HolidayFilm
1944Cover GirlFilm
1943DuBarry Was a LadyFilm
1943Pilot #5Film
1943The Cross of LorraineFilm
1943Thousands CheerFilm
1942For Me and My GalHarry PalmerFilm

Gene Kelly Photos

  • Gene Kelly (2021)
    Photo: A Scena Muda · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History (1985)
    Photo: insley, Jeffrey Wayne · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly at a dinner in Beverly Hilton (1964)
    Photo: Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1962)
    Photo: ABC Television · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1950)
    Photo: unknown (MGM) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1947)
    Photo: eBay Front and back · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1946)
    Photo: Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1944)
    Photo: credited as "U.S. Navy photo" · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1944)
    Photo: MGM · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
  • Gene Kelly (1942)
    Photo: MGM · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions

How old was Gene Kelly at the time of death?

Gene Kelly died on 2 February 1996 at the age of 83. He was born on 23 August 1912.

What was Gene Kelly’s cause of death?

According to Wikidata, Gene Kelly died on 2 February 1996; the recorded cause of death is stroke.

What is Gene Kelly known for?

Gene Kelly was known for Hello, Dolly! (1969) and What a Way to Go! (1964).

What is Gene Kelly’s nationality?

Gene Kelly was American, born in Pittsburgh.

How tall was Gene Kelly?

Gene Kelly was 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) tall.

Who was Gene Kelly married to?

Gene Kelly’s marriages on record are to Jeanne Coyne (1960 to 1973) and Betsy Blair (1941 to 1957).

Sources

  • Wikidata (Q73089), accessed October 2026
  • Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer · Public domain

Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team

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