Donald O'Connor was born on August 28, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois.
O'Connor passed away on September 27, 2003 in Calabasas, California
from heart failure.
Donald's best-known musical work is 1952's SINGIN'
IN THE RAIN. O'Connor was also effective in comedic lead
roles, particularly as the companion to Francis the Talking
Mule in that film series.
In 1942 Donald O'Connor returned to hollywood after he left
the screen to return to what was left of vaudeville, when
he returned he signed with Universal to star in their budget-minded
youth musicals WHAT'S COOKIN and GET HELP TO LOVE.
O'Connor's trade mark was his ability to do somersault against
walls during a musical number in films.
In 1981 Donald did a cameo as a vaudevillian in RAGTIME,
and has appeared as Captain Andy in a popular touring stage
revival of SHOW BOAT. Donald O'Connor is from a vaudeville
family act, his father John Edward "Chuck" O'Connor" was an
acrobat with Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Baily Circus as
a "leaper." His mother was a circus bareback rider and dancer
named Effie.
In 1937 Donald O'Connor made his film debut at age 12 in
MELODY FOR TWO with his two brothers, Jack and Billy, doing
a specialty routine.
In 1953 Donald received the Sylvania Award for his work on
TV. Despite failing health in 2003, Donald O'Connor made appearances
at the Roger Ebert Overlooked Film Festival and the opening
of the Judy Garland Museum.
In 1998 Donald O'Connor signed on for The Fabulous Palm
Springs Follies, a revue featuring 54-year-old + performers.
He was their headliner, dancing and singing his way through
eight performances a week. He closed out the season with the
Palm Spring Follies, performing in the last four shows after
recovering from a serious illness that stopped him from performing.
Donald O'Connor's other notable credits include...
OUT TO SEA (1997)
A TIME TO REMEMBER (1987)
THAT FUNNY FEELING (1965)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (1954)
FRANCIS IN THE NAVY (1955)
FRANCIS JOINS THE WACS (1954)
FRANCIS COVERS THE BIG TOWN (1953)
FRANCIS GOES TO WEST POINT (1952)
FRANCIS GOES TO THE RACES (1951)
FRANCIS (1950)
NIGHT WORK (1939)
MILLION DOLLAR LEGS (1939)
IT CAN'T LAST FOREVER (1937)
