The Life and Tragic Ending of Eleanor Powell

Mini bio of the life of actress Eleanor Powell who is probably most famous for appearing in a series of musical vehicles tailored especially for her talents, including Born to Dance, Rosalie

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[esmeephillips]

The content of this video is from Wikipedia, recited by a robot.

Eleanor Powell was the only solo hoofer ever to become a Hollywood winner; she died knowing that in many eyes she was the supreme movie dancer, as well as one of the Golden Age figures most beloved by her colleagues. There is not one story about her short career that reflects badly on her. She then spent more than half her life, 38 years, mainly engaged in raising her son and working for good causes.

All her days Eleanor spread happiness and helped others. She lived to see her unequaled talent rediscovered in the 'That's Entertainment!' compilations- she was the only performer to have featured segments in all four- and she was called home in the steadfast and lifelong faith of which she had become a minister.

I cannot think of any star who had less of a 'sad ending'. The title of this series does it a disservice.

[troyannbladsacker]

Eleanor Powell was the greatest tap dancer. She was amazing and also absolutely beautiful especially that gorgeous smile. Fascinating Rhythm is one of my favorites but Begin the Beguine with Fred Astaire has to be one of the greatest tap numbers in dance history. They made it look so easy and fun but in her speech recognizing Fred Astaire's accomplishments we got to hear just a glimpse of the hours and hours of practice even just for the hand and arm movements. Rest in Peace dearest Ellie. You are one that I hope to meet when I get to heaven.

[SuburbanDon]

What's this "sad ending" nonsense ? Don't we all have sad endings ?

[stephaniestanley]

Eleanor was the greatest tap dancer in the history of film and a beautiful girl whose face was perfect for the movies.

[ms.ntropy]

I think she overcame a sad time of life when she parted from her philandering husband, Glenn Ford. I have read that all the guys were mad for Eleanor -- including Jimmy Stewart -- when she first came to Hollywood, but she chose Glenn Ford. Never understood his success as a ladies' man, but he must have had something. It sounds as if she took her faith seriously, so I am sure that was a help. Her son has said she struggled financially after the divorce, but I guess she went back to work and soldiered through the challenging times. But all this is hardly tragic. She had an illness in her late 60s that took her life, but though she wasn't old, she still had a reasonably long life. All in all, despite some painful passages, her life was a great success.

[arthurgearheard]

She was in the shadow of Ginger Rogers at that time! In the Broadway Melody of 1940, Astaire met his match and was out of breath trying to keep up with her! It was too bad she couldn't dance opposite Gene Kelly or even the Nicholas Brothers!

[davidreidenberg]

Buddy Rich once said that “that woman has more rhythm in her feet than I have in my hands”.

[NickGurred]

She has timeless beauty and talent to boot. I'm smitten by her.

[carolinegoss]

In the 50s she hosted a program called, ‘Faith of our Children’, that was televised. I was on it several times and even got to recite from the Bible on stage. She was so nice, classy and a lady in every sense of the word. I hadn’t seen her dance at that time, but have many times since. She was an amazing dancer!

[johnlewis]

If Fred said that it wasn’t meant to be an insult, but a huge compliment. Long after she had finished with Hollywood she always spoke of him with affection, as did he of her.

[tomcalandra]

Her talent is unique yet obvious the most talented dancer in MGM musicals bar none
.

[denisecoleman]

Please she did not have a bad ending . Come on.

[donnamello]

I certainly do not think her life & career can be 'characterized' as Sad. All these You Tube summaries state the Same Phrase. Eleanor was Amazing & gifted.

[eleven]

Powell died of ovarian cancer at 69, and this is indeed a sad ending to her life, but not 'tragic', as if it were something outside the bounds of what we can succumb to in life.

[angelobolton]

Never knew she lived until 1982. I would have proposed to her. She was amazing.

[tomtransport]

When she and Fred dance to Cole Porters Begin the Beguine it was nice that Fred was able to keep up. He had his share of so so partners but he didn't have to carry Elenore, IMHO she was better then him not taking anything from Fred. They were both at the top of their game. We will never see their like again.

[michellelekas]

Her ending was not sad at all. I mean she passed away, but she went out a success with a loving so.

[Lorenzo]

Everyone in Hollywood must have had a sad ending.

[josephdeakyne]

Brillent talent never to be seen again

[PhyllisFicarrotta-ygom]

The only dancer Astaire could not keep up with. That’s quite an accomplishment. RIP angel. You brought us so much joy.