Biography

June 29, 1916 · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

March 15, 2000 · Tucson, Arizona, USA (cancer)

Fredric Norbert Kelly

Was a ballroom dance instructor to the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. He had been recommended to Buckingham Palace by General Eisenhower while serving as a sergeant in the US Army. It was a standing joke between Gene and Fred that, at the 1951 royal screening of "An American in Paris", Princess Elizabeth rushed up to Gene and said: "Oh, Mr Kelly, is it true that you are the brother of Fred Kelly?"

Younger brother of Gene Kelly.

Winner of three Donaldson awards, which were the precursor of the Tony Awards: one for acting (presented by Helen Hayes), one for comedy (presented by Charlie Chaplin), and one for dance (presented by Antoinette Perry, for whom the Tony awards are named).Choreographed NBC's "Colgate Comedy Hour",Directed over 1,000 hours of "The Steve Allen Show",Directed The Ice Capades. Introduced the mambo to the New York City dance scene, Invented the cha-cha. Taught a young man named John Travolta to dance in Oradell, NJ. In the movie Meet Me in St. Louis, the song "The Boy Next Door" was based on Fred and his wife, Dottie, who was his childhood sweetheart. They lived next door to each other in Pittsburgh. Fred produced, directed, or was otherwise involved with the first television drama series, soap opera, cooking show, and talk show - a true television pioneer.

Shortly before the first show of 'Casey,Crime Photographer'was to air, the star walked off and Fred took his place for the first episodes, assigning directing duties to another crew member. With so little time to remember his lines, Fred sent out for art cards and had the first few words of each of his lines put onto them. This the introduction of the use of 'Cue Cards' to television.

Father of sons Barry and Michael, and daughter Colleen Beaman.