History Creator / GeneKelly

** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [[StopHavingFunGuys started goofing off]]). Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite Creator/JudyGarland. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was known for playing--and that's ''after'' it was [[LighterAndSofter lightened quite a bit]] from the original draft of the script.

->''Gene Kelly was basically a tap dancing [[Series/MadMen Don Draper]].''
-->-- '''''{{Website/Cracked}}'''''

Gene Kelly (August 23, 1912 -- February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. You may remember him as the guy who [[Film/SinginInTheRain performed a whimsical ditty in inclimate weather]].

!!Gene Kelly provides examples of:

* DrillSergeantNasty: Kelly's perfectionism was infamous among his co-stars and colleagues, over whom he ruled as absolute overlord.
** Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor both bore the brunt of this while shooting ''Singin' in the Rain''; Reynolds basically had to mimic Kelly's every move (despite not being a trained dancer) in '''heels''', while O'Connor [[TheScapegoat got shouted at]] whenever Kelly was irritated with Reynolds, since Kelly didn't feel justified in punishing a novice. Reynolds, still working despite being an octogenarian, attributes her longevity to Kelly's hellish training.

Gene Kelly was among many creative influences to whom Michael Jackson paid tribute in his "Beat It" and "Bad" videos. PaulaAbdul also included a ShoutOut to him in her "Opposites Attract" video, in which she dances with an animated cat.

* OddFriendship: Following PaulaAbdul's release of "[[AnimatedMusicVideo Opposites Attract]]". Kelly took notice of the music video and enjoyed it, later asking Paula over to his place for tea. The pair continued to meet for tea once per week until his death.

->''Gene Kelly was basically a tap dancing [[MadMen Don Draper]].''

* TomHanksSyndrome: Kelly's career fizzled in the 1950s, and he didn't make much of an impression as a dramatic actor (He played E.K. Hornbeck, an expy of Creator/HLMencken, in the 1960 film version of ''InheritTheWind''). However in a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, Gene Kelly did appear in the little known FilmNoir (opposite Deanna Drubin)''Christmas Holiday'', where he plays a proto-Norman Bates killer. The film has a cult status among noir afficionados.
* TypeCasting: Kelly made big splash as Joey Evans... and basically played the same role for fifteen years.
** He always gets the girl... but not before having a few drinks thrown at him first. Kelly excelled at playing the cad.
** Though with one notable PlayingAgainstType as D'Artagnan in the 1948 adaptation of ''TheThreeMusketeers''.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Kelly originally suggested doing a dance with MickeyMouse instead, but Disney was going through serious financial problems during the early 40's, and couldn't afford to outsource animation to other studios.
** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [[StopHavingFunGuys started goofing off]]). Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite Creator/JudyGarland. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was known for playing--and that's ''after'' it was [[LighterAndSofter lightened quite a bit]] from the original draft of the script.

* RedOniBlueOni: Himself (Red) and Creator/FredAstaire (Blue). The pair didn't dance together often, unfortunately.

** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (Not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [[StopHavingFunGuys started goofing off]]). Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite Creator/JudyGarland. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was known for playing--and that's ''after'' it was [[LighterAndSofter lightened quite a bit]] from the original draft of the script.

Film producer Daivd O. Selznik discovered Kelly after seeing him star in ''Pal Joey'' on Broadway. Under MGM, Kelly became a megastar by appearing in a string of famous musicals. His biggest successes in the post-war period were ''OnTheTown'', ''AnAmericanInParis'', and his iconic role in ''Film/SinginInTheRain''.

* Gabey in ''OnTheTown'' (1949)
* Jerry Mulligan in ''AnAmericanInParis'' (1951 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor)

* E.K. Hornbeck in ''InheritTheWind'' (1960)
* Danny [=McGuire=] (possibly the same Danny [=McGuire=] as in ''Film/CoverGirl)'' in ''{{Xanadu}}'' (1980)

* TomHanksSyndrome: Kelly's career fizzled in the 1950s, and he didn't make much of an impression as a dramatic actor (He played E.K. Hornbeck, an expy of Creator/HLMencken, in the 1960 film version of ''InheritTheWind'').

Gene Kelly (August 23, 1912 -- February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. You may remember him as the guy who [[ExpospeakGag performed a whimsical ditty in inclimate weather]].

Though he tended to play [[CasanovaWannabe hucksters]], Kelly's performances gave the impression that anyone -- athletes, sailors, or Joe Sixpack -- could sing and dance. This was evidenced by his trademark outfit, which consisted of [[ClothesMakeTheLegend a polo shirt and loafers]]. The white socks were handy for protecting his feet; Kelly later shared this tip with Music/MichaelJackson, which led to the singer's trademark look.

Although he tended to play [[CasanovaWannabe fast-talking hucksters]], Kelly's performances gave the impression that anyone -- athletes, sailors, or Joe Sixpack -- could sing and dance. This was evidenced by his trademark outfit, which consisted of [[ClothesMakeTheLegend a polo shirt and loafers]]. The white socks were handy for protecting his feet; Kelly later shared this tip with Music/MichaelJackson, which led to the singer's trademark look.

Although he tended to play [[CasanovaWannabe fast-talking hucksters]], Kelly's performances gave the impression that anyone -- athletes, sailors, or Joe Sixpack -- could sing and dance. This was evidenced by his trademark outfit, which consisted of [[ClothesMakeTheLegend a polo shirt and loafers]]. The white socks were handy for protecting his feet; Kelly later shared this tip with MichaelJackson, which led to the singer's trademark look.

* Danny [=McGuire=] in ''{{Xanadu}}'' (1980)

* Joseph Brady in ''Film/AnchorsAweigh'' (1945 AcademyAward nominee for Best Actor). Best known for a fantasy sequence with the cartoon character, Jerry Mouse of WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry.[[note]]Jerry [[AwardSnub received no nominations.]][[/note]]

** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (Not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [[StopHavingFunGuys started goofing off]]). Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite Creator/JudyGarland. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was known for playing--though still lightened quite a bit from the original draft of the script.

* MayDecemberRomance: The Tom Cruise of his generation! He looked good for his age, but most of his leading ladies (Vera Allen, Leslie Caron, Debbie Reynolds) were barely twenty. Kelly himself was in his forties.

* RedOniBlueOni: Himself and Creator/FredAstaire. The pair didn't dance together often, unfortunately.

** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (Not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [[StopHavingFunGuys started goofing off]]). Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite Creator/JudyGarland. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was known for playing.

* RealMenWearPink: Easily the manliest ballet dancer next to PatrickSwayze.

* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: JudyGarland was his mentor on the set of ''Me and My Gal''; Kelly would later claim she taught him everything he knew about the business. Years later, when Garland came out of rehab, Gene requested her for ''Summer Stock''.

** Kelly was all set to play the lead in ''Easter Parade'' (1948), but broke his ankle during a volleyball game (Not caused by the game itself, but by stamping his foot in frustration when his teammates [[StopHavingFunGuys started goofing off]]). Fred Astaire ended up filling in for him, playing opposite JudyGarland. As it was originally meant for Kelly, the role is significantly darker than the boy scouts Astaire was known for playing.

* TomHanksSyndrome: Kelly's career fizzled in the 1950s, and he didn't make much of an impression as a dramatic actor (He played E.K. Hornbeck, an expy of HLMencken, in the 1960 film version of ''InheritTheWind'').

Although he tended to play [[ConMan fast-talking hucksters]], Kelly's performances gave the impression that anyone -- athletes, sailors, or Joe Sixpack -- could sing and dance. This was evidenced by his trademark outfit, which consisted of [[ClothesMakeTheLegend a polo shirt and loafers]]. The white socks were handy for protecting his feet; Kelly later shared this tip with MichaelJackson, which led to the singer's trademark look.

* LightningBruiser
* MadeOfIron: Remember that famous dance number in the rainstorm? Gene had a 100+ degree fever at the time.

Gene Kelly (1912-1996) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. You may remember him as the guy who [[ExpospeakGag performed a whimsical ditty in inclimate weather]].

* TheEveryman: The famous sweater-loafer combo came about as a result of him trying to wear a tux like [[FredAstaire Astaire]]. With his build, however, Kelly still looked like a longshoreman even in tails.

* RedOniBlueOni: Himself and FredAstaire. The pair didn't dance together often, unfortunately.

** Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor both bore the brunt of this while shooting ''Singin' in the Rain''; Reynolds basically had to mimic Kelly's every move (despite not being a trained dancer) in '''heels''', while O'Connor [[TheScapegoat got shouted at]] whenever Kelly was irritated with Reynolds, since Kelly didn't feel justified in punishing a novice.
** Reynolds, still working despite being an octogenarian, attributes her longevity to Kelly's harsh training, however.

* RedOniBlueOni: Himself and FredAstaire (see above quote).

Although he tended to play [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold fast-talking hucksters]], Kelly's performances gave the impression that anyone -- athletes, sailors, or Joe Sixpack -- could sing and dance. This was evidenced by his trademark outfit, which consisted of [[ClothesMakeTheLegend a polo shirt and loafers]]. The white socks were handy for protecting his feet; Kelly later shared this tip with MichaelJackson, which led to the singer's trademark look.