2 3 Throwback Thursday and Leslie Caron | Ballet Webb

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Throwback Thursday and Leslie Caron


Throwback Thursday and Leslie Caron

Born on July 1, 1931, Leslie Claire Margaret Caron seemed destined to be a dancer. Her father was a chemist, but her mother was an American dancer, and Leslie started training at age  ten.

When she was sixteen, Gene Kelly saw her perform in a production of “La Recontre”. Three years later he cast her in the famous movie “An American in Paris”, which resulted in a contract with MGM and launched her film career. She also worked with Fred Astaire in “Daddy Long Legs”, and did many other musicals.

Gradually she transitioned from strictly dancing roles to those that had little or no dancing at all. In 1953 she earned an Oscar for “Lili”, and 1958’s “Gigi” marked her last appearance in a major Hollywood musical. By this time, musicals were declining in popularity and Leslie began to do straight dramatic roles. She earned her second Oscar nomination for “The L-Shaped Room” in 1963, and in 1964 she played opposite Cary Grant in the movie “Father Goose”.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Leslie Caron did television miniseries, HBO movies, and a guest appearance on the TV series “Dynasty”. She also performed in stage productions of “On Your Toes” and “One for the Tango”. In the 1990s into 2000 she continued to act in movies and on television in including the TV-movie version of “Murder on the Orient Express”.

In 2007 she appeared in “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and earned an Emmy Award.

Today she owns a bed and breakfast inn south of Paris.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid #90:  
“ Leslie Caron was a French actress and dancer best known for her work in movies.”

                Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“The most important thing is to remain active and to love what you are doing.”
-          Leslie Caron
  
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