In his later years, singer, dancer and actor Gene Kelly made his home in Hollywood.

But he never forgot the work ethic and determination that he learned growing up in East Liberty.

Kelly, who died Feb. 2, 1996, would have turned 96 on Saturday. A graduate of Peabody High School and the University of Pittsburgh, Kelly is most fondly remembered as the star of MGM film classics such as "Singin' In the Rain," "On the Town," "Brigadoon" and "An American in Paris."

"I have always contended that much of who Gene was and much of what he was to become here in Hollywood was rooted right there in Pittsburgh," said his widow, Patricia Ward Kelly.

"From a very early age, Gene was determined to be the best in whatever he pursued, whether it was hockey on the ice-covered pond at Homestead Cemetery, baseball where he shone in the field, gymnastics at Peabody High, dancing to 'Stardust' at the senior prom, or, much later, creating dance for the silver screen."

Kelly grew up in East Liberty, the third of five children. By the time he was 8, he and his siblings were dancing on stage at amateur vaudeville nights as "The Five Kellys."

Small for his age and having skipped a grade, Kelly felt the need to stand out, said Ward Kelly.

"There was also a scrappiness about him, a willingness to put his dukes up to defend himself if need be -- a frequent occurrence for a little boy from East Liberty forced to march off to violin lessons and dance class dressed in a Buster Brown collar," she said.

People often told stories about Kelly's perfectionism -- a term he disliked because of its seeming negative connotation -- and of the grueling demands he made of other performers, she said.

"But the demand he made of others was simply the one he made of himself: Be the best, create something of value. He worked long hours to achieve the necessary results and expected others to do so as well," she said.

In 1991, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera honored Kelly by naming its annual awards program celebrating the achievements of high school students and their schools' musical theater programs for him. From then until his death in 1996, Gene Kelly served as its honorary chairman of the board.

Additional Information:

Gene Kelly trivia

Q: Gene Kelly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1933. What was his major?

A: Economics.

Source: International Movie Database

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