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Born
Eleanor Powell was born November 21, 1912 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her parents had divorced when she was a baby, but her mother told her that her father had died. She began to take ballet classes at the age of 6 to overcome her shyness. She, ironically, had a strong distaste for tap. -
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Eleanor Powell's Life
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Discovered
During the summer of 1924, Eleanor was visiting family in Atlanta. She was dancing and doing acrobatic stunts on the beach when she was discovered by Gus Edwards, who was the producer of children's shows. She then went on to perform in "Vaudeville Kiddie Reviews." -
Broadway Debut
Eleanor made her Broadway debut at the age of 17 in "The Optimist" which ran from January 30-Febuary 18th. She began to study tap in New York at the Jack Donahue Dance School, because she was getting turned down for musical roles in New York due to her not being able to tap. -
Becoming a Broadway Star
Eleanor made her way to Broadway stardum after tapping to "Button up you Overcoat" in the show "Follow Thru".
Eleanor was known in tap for her vigorously athletic, rapid-fire, machine-gun footwork. -
Film Star
Her first film appeareance was in George White's "Scandals of 1935" as Marilyn. This was also the year she was reintroduced to her father, after her mother told her that he was dead.
Later that year on September 20th, Eleanor starred in "Broadway Melody of 1936" which attracted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) who she signed a contract with.
In the following years, she helped to create and starred in "Born to Dance" (1936), "Broadway Melody of 1938" (1937), "Rosalie"(1937), "Honolulu" (1939). -
Top of Career
Eleanor starred in "Broadway Melody of 1940", and she danced with Fred Astaire in "Begin the Beguine." They were completely synchronized and their technique was amazing. -
Family
Eleanor decided to start a family. To do so she left MGM, and married Glenn Ford. In 1945 they had a son named Peter Ford, who went on to become an actor as well. -
Disappointing Film
Powell created "Sensations of 1945" which ended up being a flop. Her sucess began its slow decline. After this film she retired to raise her son. -
Finding Faith
Eleanor turned to religion and became very involved with her Christian faith. She became a minister in the Unity Church. She also became the host of a public service show, "Faith in Our Children." It's focus was on the spirtual formation fo children and bible stories. The show recieved five regional emmy's over the next two years. -
Divorce
Glen and Eleanor got a divorce. After the sepeeration, Eleanor performed as an entertainer in New York and Las Vegas. -
Death
Eleanor died from ovarian cancer at the age of 69 in Beverly Hills, California. Her reamins were placed in the Hollywood Forver Cemetery in Hollywood.
In 2002, she was inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame.
