Syd charisse biography
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Bio
Cyd Charisse is one of Hollywood's greatest dancers best known for two acclaimed dance sequences, the "Broadway Melody Ballet" from the movie Singin' in the Rainwith Gene Kelly and the "Girl Hunt Ballet" from The Band Wagon. As Fred Astaire so aptly stated about his favorite partner Cyd Charisse, "When you've danced with her, you stay danced with." Cyd Charisse grew up in Amarillo, Texas and spent her early childhood taking ballet lessons. She joined the Ballet Russe at age 13 touring with the company in the U.S. and Europe, using the stage names of Maria Istomina and Felia Sidorova. In 1939 she married Nico Charisse, a former dance teacher. Four years later, she appeared in her first film as Lily Norwood in Something to Shout Aboutfollowed that same year by Mission to Moscow. In 1946, she was cast in Ziegfeld Follies, dancing with Fred Astaire. Although that film did not include her in the credits, it did lead to a seven-year contract with MGM and a series of films that propelled her career not only as a talented and beautiful dancer but also a compelling actress. Other musicals over the next several years include The Harvey Girlswith Judy Garland (1946), Words and Music(1948) and East Side West Side(1948). But it was Singing in the Rain(1948) that reall•
A Life in Focus: Cyd Charisse, dancing star of Hollywood’s golden era
Fred Astaire called her “beautiful dynamite”, and, when she was dancing, Cyd Charisse was a dynamic and alluring talent. One of the screen’s finest dancers, she became a legendary performer when she partnered Gene Kelly in the “Broadway Ballet” sequence of Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and went on to star with Kelly in Brigadoon (1955)and It’s Always Fair Weather(1955) and with Fred Astaire in The Band Wagon (1953) and Silk Stockings (1957) – comparing Astaire and Kelly, she diplomatically stated, “It’s like comparing apples and oranges – they’re both delicious.”
Long-legged, seductive and sexy, she was one of Hollywood’s iconic dancing stars, who can be mentioned with Eleanor Powell, Ann Miller and Vera-Ellen. Although she excelled in the balletic style, she could hoof with the best, as she demonstrated in her stunning gym dance, “Baby, You Knock Me Out”, in It’s Always Fair Weather, and her “Fated to be Mated” duet with Astaire in Silk Stockings. Her romantic pas de deux with Astaire in The Band Wagon to the tune of “Dancing in the Dark” is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful film dance duets.
The daughter of a jeweller, she was born Tula Ellice Finklea in Amarillo, Texas, in 1921.
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Cyd Charisse
American partner and actress (1922–2008)
Cyd Charisse | |
|---|---|
Charisse in 1949 | |
| Born | Tula Ellice Finklea (1922-03-08)March 8, 1922 Amarillo, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | June 17, 2008(2008-06-17) (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hillside Park Cemetery |
| Other names | Lily Norwood Felia Siderova Maria Istomina |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1939–2008 |
| Spouses | Nico Charisse (m. 1939; div. 1947)Tony Martin (m. 1948) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Nana Visitant (niece) |
Cyd Charisse (born Tula Ellice Finklea; March 8, 1922 – June 17, 2008)[1][2] was an Dweller dancer accept actress.
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