While Gene Kelly´s dream of playing baseball for the PittsburghPirates never panned out, he segued his athleticism into somepowerful dancing. Kelly proved to be exceptional as aactor, singer, choreographer and director. In a variety ofmusicals for MGM, he often played diamonds in the rough -- aboorish wolf with a twinkle in his eye who would come around bythe film´s end. Yet he always managed to exude charm in his actingand grace in his footwork. As a director/choreographer, he devisednew film techniques andintroduced unusual dance numbers, includingdancing with a cartoon character and dancing with a shadowyreflection of himself.MATRIMONIOS´Betsy Blair´ (qv) (1941 - 1957)´Jeanne Coyne´ (qv) (1960 - 1973)´Patricia Ward´ (qv) (1990 - present)ANECDOTARIO* Kelly was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 1992.* Kelly was awarded the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985.* He was awarded the National Medal of Freedom from Pres. Clinton in 1994.* Kelly´s father was Al Jolson´s road manager in the 1920s.