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Birth
Eleanor Powell was born in Springfield, Massachusetts as Eleanor Torrey Powell to father, Clarence Powell and mother, Blanche Torrey. -
Introduction to Ballet and Acrobatics
In order to encourage young Eleanor to overcome her shyness, she was enrolled in dance school, where she studied ballet and acrobatics under the instruction of Ralph McKernan. -
Introduction to Tap
Eleanor Powell encountered tap dancer, John Sublett Bubbles, in New York City. She was fascinated by his heel-dropping and rhythmic fashion of tap dancing, which molded her own aggressive, upbeat style of dance. Powell later described her unique style as "offbeat tapping... with a colored sound." -
Tap Lessons
After experiencing continuous rejection in attempts to earn a role on Broadway, Powell enrolled in tap classes provided by Jack Donahue at his school of dance. Initially, Eleanor Powell's training in ballet and acrobatics caused her to struggle in tap, producing a preliminary style characterized by aerial tap movements. After some rather unconventional teaching techniques, Donahue challenged Powell to subdue her early training. Eventually, Eleanor Powell became the star of her class. -
An Appearance on Broadway
After completing her tap training with Jack Donahue, Eleanor Powell entered the Broadway scene. She made her first appearance in the musical "Follow Thru" (1929). -
Debut in the Film Industry
In response to her increasing fame on Broadway, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studios contracted Eleanor Powell. Powell's first production with the company was an extravagant musical, "Born to Dance" (1936). Powell enjoyed the independence MGM offered her, providing her with a studio space and the opportunity to arrange her own choreography. -
A Defining Performance
Eleanor Powell's most well-known performance was that of "Broadway Melody of 1940" (1940), where Powell was paired with the wonderfully talented, Fred Astaire. Astaire finally met his match in Powell, who embraced a tap dancing style full of energy, rhythm, and aggression. -
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Going Solo
After her fantastic performance in "Broadway Melody of 1940" (1940), Eleanor Powell appeared on stage as a solo performer, a style she embraced until the end of her career. Powell is remembered for her top-hat and tails attire, speed, and rhythmically unique tap dancing. -
Marriage
Eleanor Powell married actor, Glenn Ford. After her marriage, Powell entered a period of retirement from her career of fame and dance. -
One and Only Son
Eleanor Powell's son, Peter Newton Ford, was her only child. -
Divorce
Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford divorced in response to a strained, unhealthy marriage. -
World's Greatest Tap Dancer
The title of "World's Greatest Tap Dancer" was bestowed upon Eleanor Powell by the Dance Masters of America. -
Death
Eleanor Powell died of cancer at the age of 70 in Beverly Hills, California. Powell is still admired today for her novel contributions to the world of tap dancing, particularly agility in tap movements and colorful sounds.
