LOS ANGELES — Cyd Charisse, who brought sizzle and sophistication to dance in classic movie musicals such as “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Silk Stockings,” died Tuesday. She was 86.
Charisse died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering an apparent heart attack Monday, publicist Gene Schwam said.
Charisse captured moviegoers’ attention in a quick succession of films, starting with “Singin’ in the Rain” in 1952 in which she partnered with dancer and actor Gene Kelly in a steamy ballet.
She was strong, lithe and “drop-dead gorgeous to look at,” said Larry Billman, a dance/film historian and author of her breakthrough performance. She partnered with Kelly again in “Brigadoon” in 1954 and “It’s Always Fair Weather” the following year.
Charisse also danced with Fred Astaire in major production numbers in the ’50s. They performed together in 1953’s “The Band Wagon” and in “Silk Stockings” four years later. Astaire said Charisse was “beautiful dynamite” on-screen.
Los Angeles Times
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