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Birth
Eleanor Powell was born in Springfield Massachussets. She began her studies in ballet and acrobatics. It was not until she was 11 that she picked up the art of tap. She enrolled in dance lessons to overcome her extreme shyness and social awkwardness. -
Start to her career
Eleanor caught the eye of Gus Edwards, famous producer of children's shows, and she began to perform ni the vaudeville Kiddie Review while visiting relatives in Atlantic City. Her relationship with Edwards allowed her to meet Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Up until now, she had not learned to tap dance. -
Broadway Debut
After countless auditions where Eleanor was asked if she could tap, she finally decided to jumpstart her career forwrd and enroll in the dancing school of Jack Donohue where she would profess tap. In 1928 she made her dreams come true and made her Broadway debut in The Optimists. -
A star is born
Eleanor made quite the impression on anyone who was luck yenough to see her dance. She eventually became a star at MGM in her performance in "Broadway Melody of 1940". Throughout the rest of her career she would perform in numerous other pieces and plays including: Born to Dnace (1936), Broadway Melody of 1936 (1937), Rosalie (1937), Honolulu (1939), Lady be Good (1941), and countless others. -
End of an Era
After 20 years of performing, Eleanor throws in the towel and retires. She would devote the rest of her life to charities and religious work. -
Married
Married actor Glenn Ford. -
First child born
Powell and Ford gave birth to their one and only son, Peter Ford. He became an acotr later in life. -
She's back
After taking a break from her career to focus more onher family and spiritual life, Eleanor was asked to host a religious televison show called "The Faith of Our Children." The show would recievce 5 local Emmy awards. -
Divorced
Powell and Ford's reationship fell apart and they divorced in 1959. -
Final TV Appearance
In 1981 Fred Astaire won the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award. Eleanor made her final TV appearance in this tribute to Astaire reminiscing on their careers together. -
Death
Eleanor lived a long and prosperous life. She died at age 69 of Ovarian cancer in Beverly Hills, California. -
Legacy continues
In 1984 Eleanor would recieve her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2002 she would be inducted into the international tap dance hall of fame.
