Kelly's dance training began at the age of 14 when he enrolled in a dance school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He later studied at the University of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Institute of Technology. After graduating, he worked as a dancer in vaudeville and on Broadway. In 1938, he was signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and made his film debut in the musical Rosalie (1937).
Kelly's first major film success came in the musical For Me and My Gal (1942). In this film, he danced with Judy Garland and performed a memorable tap dance number called "The Trolley Song." Kelly's star power continued to rise with the release of Singin' in the Rain (1952), which is considered one of the greatest musicals of all time. In this film, Kelly performed several iconic dance numbers, including "Singin' in the Rain," "Make 'Em Laugh" and "Good Morning."
Kelly continued to make musical films throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Some of his most notable films include An American in Paris (1951), The Band Wagon (1953), Brigadoon (1954) and Hello, Dolly! (1969). In addition to his film career, Kelly also directed and produced several television shows, including The Gene Kelly Show (1957-1958) and Going My Way (1962-1963).
Gene Kelly was one of the most influential dancers of the 20th century. He helped to popularize tap dance and made it an integral part of musical films. He was also an accomplished actor, singer and director. Gene Kelly's legacy continues to inspire dancers and filmmakers around the world.