Debbie Reynolds
“The bright, plucky girl of the MGM musicals who kept performing with good humor for a lifetime.”
In 1952, the 19-year-old Reynolds was cast as Kathy Selden in the MGM musical 'Singin' in the Rain,' dancing alongside Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor. The beloved film, her first leading role, made her an overnight star and a top box-office attraction of the decade.
From Pageant to Pictures
Born in El Paso, Texas, Reynolds won the Miss Burbank pageant in 1948 and quickly landed a film contract. Within a few years she was cast in one of MGM's most enduring musicals.
Musical Stardom
After 'Singin' in the Rain' she became a top box-office draw, appearing in light comedies and musicals. Her recording of 'Tammy' topped the charts, and 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' brought an Oscar nomination.
Stage, Screen, and Legacy
Reynolds remained active for decades on Broadway, in television, and in films. A devoted preservationist of Hollywood memorabilia, she died in 2016 a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher.
Career Timeline
- 1932Born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso.
- 1952Singin' in the Rain.
- 1958Fisher leaves. The country takes sides.
- 1964The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
- 2016Dies the day after Carrie.
Biggest Hits
- Studio chief Jack Warner renamed her Debbie against her wishes; she was born Mary Frances Reynolds.
- She died just one day after the sudden death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, in December 2016.
The Moment You Remember
She is remembered keeping pace with Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor in Singin' in the Rain, a near-novice dancer holding her own in routines that became part of the American musical canon.
Portrait: Bob Beerman and Bert Parry · Public domain (publicity still, 1954) · via Wikimedia Commons