Donald O’Connor

Donald O’Connor was as an American actor, stage performer, television personality and dancer. He is mainly famous for his acting in many musical films like Singing in the Rain(1952), Call Me Madam (1953), I Love Melvin (1953) etc. He was also a very familiar face on television in the 1950’s.

Donald O’Connor born on August 28, 1925, in Chicago, USA. His father Edward O’Connor and mother Effie O’Connor were both circus performers. Donald’s elder sister and father died accidentally ten months after his birth. Donald’s alive mother moved from city to city to perform for food. As he was very young, he loved to perform on stage in order to escape from the harsh dominance of his mother.

His career as a film actor began in the 1930’s primarily as a child actor. After that, he appeared in Sing You Sinners (1938), Men With Wings (1938) and Unmarried (1939). After that, in 1942 he joined a new Hollywood dance troupe for some B-musical films.

During the world war 2, he joined the Special Services Corps as an entertainer. After returning from war, he appeared in films like Something in the wind (1947), Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (1949) and Curtain Call at Cactus Creek (1950). But his real stardom began when the film Singin’ in in the Rain (1952) released. He also achieved Golden Globe Award for best performance as an actor. Moreover, he was the most demanded actor of the big budget musical films. After that, in 1952 Walking My Baby Back Home, I Love Melvin and Call Me Madam brought huge success for him.

After that, by the last of 50’s and early 60’s his film career became reduced. In fact, gradually He began to appear more in many popular television shows. He also started to perform on stage as he did in childhood. He achieved Emmy Award for his television performance. But at this time he suffered from alcoholic behavior. In the 90’s he also became a victim of pneumonia.

Donald O’Connor married two times. Gwen Carter was his first wife. After that, in 1956 he wed Starlet Gloria Noble. Donald Died of a heart attack on 27 September 2003 in California, USA.