Cyd Charisse

Cyd Charisse (1922-2008) was an American dancer and actress. Born Tula Ellice Finklea in Amarillo, Texas, she entered films in the 1940s after recovering from polio and studying ballet. Known for her dancing abilities, Charisse often appeared alongside Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in films such as Singin' in the Rain (1952), The Band Wagon (1953), and Silk Stockings (1957). While she stopped dancing in films in the late 1950s, she continued to act in both film and television. Charisse made her Broadway debut in 1991 and later discussed the history of the Hollywood musical in documentaries. She received the National Medal of the Arts and Humanities in 2006.