An American in Paris

Gene Kelly:Jerry Mulligan

Leslie Caron:Lise Bouvier

Nina Foch:Milo Roberts

Although Gene Kelly was much older than the character he played (he was 39 but his character was probably only in his mid-late 20s), his dancing talent more than made up for the obvious discrepancy in his age and that of Leslie Caron. Nina Foch, on the other hand, was able to pull off playing a woman much older than she actually was. She was only 27 when the movie was made, but her character was a woman who was probably in her 40s. Only Leslie Caron was approximately the same age as her character.

Gene Kelly(1912-1996)

Gene Kelly's first exposure to dancing was at the age of 8 when his mother enrolled him in dance classes. However, he rebelled and didn't return to dance lessons until the age of 15.

Kelly was not only a gifted dancer, but also excelled academically and entered college at a younger than average age. In 1929, due to economic circumstances, he had to leave college and, with his brother, he began performing dance routines in night clubs. A year later, when his family started a dance school, Gene became a dance instructor at the school. It took ten more years before Gene Kelly made his mark on Broadway.

Gene Kelly's first appearances on Broadway in 1939 went virtually unnoticed, but in 1940, he was cast as the lead in Pal Joey and this led to success and recognition. David O. Selznick signed him to a Hollywood contract and Kelly left for Hollywood in 1941.

Gene Kelly's versatility as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and, of course, choreographer was quickly recognized in Hollywood and he was cast in movie musicals opposite popular lead performers such as Judy Garland ("For Me and My Gal") and Frank Sinatra ("Anchors Aweigh," "On the Town"). Kelly made 16 movies prior to "An American in Paris" and he choreographed dances in 13 of those films.

Although Gene Kelly didn't receive an Academy Award for "An American in Paris," he was awarded an honorary Academy Award the following year for his contributions to movie musicals and the art of choreography. Kelly's choreography was unique because it combined various styles, including ballet, tap and modern, into single production numbers, such as the famous finales in "An American in Paris" and "Singin' in the Rain." His dancing was flawless and he made it all seem so easy.

After "An American in Paris," Gene Kelly made approximately 30 more films, but only 11 musicals that featured his unique style of choreography. However, he did continue to direct or co-direct movie musicals ("Hello Dolly") and one Broadway musical ("Flower Drum Song").

Gene Kelly died in 1996 from complications from two strokes.

Leslie Caron(1931-)

Although Leslie Caron was born and raised in France, it was American films that made her known to the world. Gene Kelly discovered her in France while she was a ballet dancer and he brought her to America to star in "An American in Paris." She spent her early career starring in musical movies and dancing with Fred Astaire as well as Gene Kelly. She is, however, probably best known for her role in "Gigi."

Leslie Caron played in over 46 movies and she has received two Academy Award nominations. Her first one came early in her career for her role in "Lili," but it was her 1963 Oscar nomination for the "L-Shaped Room" that showed the world that she could not only dance but she is also a talented dramatic actress. In 2007, Caron won an Emmy award for a dramatic appearance on the series, "Law and Order."

Today, Leslie Caron spends part of her time running a bed and breakfast in France.

Nina Foch(1924-)

Nina Foch's mother was an actress and she believed in having her daughter pursue her artistic talents. As a teenager, Foch was already a concert pianist and displayed talent in painting and sculpture. But it was drama that captured her heart and she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts with the great Lee Strassberg and Stella Adler.

Nina Foch made her film debut at the age of only 19 in an unremarkable film called "Wagon Wheels West." She continued to work in films, usually in supporting roles, sometimes making as many as six or seven movies in one year, especially during the 1940s. She has appeared in over 80 films, with her last one in 2003.

In addition to being successful in movies, Nina Foch has appeared in hundreds of television shows, including episodes of many of the early (1950s) television theater shows, such as Pulitzer Prize Playhouse and Lux Video Theater. She has played roles on television since 1949, with her first part on The Philco Television Playhouse and her most recent role on television in 2007.

Today, at the age of 84, Nina Foch is still active in Hollywood, teaching a course at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.