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Cyd Charisse (1921–2008)


Cyd Charisse was born Tula Ellice Finklea on March 8, 1921 in Amarillo, Texas. Born to be a dancer, she spent her early childhood taking ballet lessons and joined the Ballet Russe at age 13. In 1939, she married Nico Charisse, her former dance teacher. In 1943, she appeared in her first film, Something to Shout About... See full bio »

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Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideActress (54 titles)
2008 Empire State Building Murders (TV movie)
Vicky Adams
 
1995 Frasier (TV series)
Polly
The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl (1995) … Polly (voice)
 
1995 Burke's Law (TV series)
Amanda Richardson
Who Killed the Highest Bidder? (1995) … Amanda Richardson
 
1989 Swimsuit (TV movie)
Mrs. Allison
 
1986 Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)
Barbara Carlisle
Hyde-And-Seek (1986) … Barbara Carlisle
 
1985 Murder, She Wrote (TV series)
Myrna Montclair LeRoy
Widow, Weep for Me (1985) … Myrna Montclair LeRoy
 
1984 Glitter (TV series)
Pilot (1984)
 
1984 The Fall Guy (TV series)
Diana
The Huntress (1984) … Diana
 
1978-1983 Fantasy Island (TV series)
Julie Mars / Queen Delphia
The Butler's Affair/Roarke's Sacrifice (1983) … Julie Mars
 
1980 Portrait of an Escort (TV movie)
Sheilah Croft
 
1979 The Love Boat (TV series)
Eve Mills
 
1978 Hawaii Five-O (TV series)
Alicia Warren
Death Mask (1978) … Alicia Warren
 
1978 Warlords of the Deep
Atsil
 
1976 Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
President's Girl 4
 
1975 Medical Center (TV series)
Valerie
No Way Home (1975) … Valerie
 
1972 Fol-de-Rol (TV movie)
Various Characters
 
1967 Maroc 7
Louise Henderson
 
1966 The Silencers
Sarita
 
1965 Assassination in Rome
Shelley North
 
1962 Two Weeks in Another Town
Carlotta
 
1961 Black Tights
The Widow
 
1961 Checkmate (TV series)
Janine Caree
Dance of Death (1961) … Janine Caree
 
1961 Five Golden Hours
Baroness Sandra
 
1958 Party Girl
Vicki Gaye
 
1958 Twilight for the Gods
Charlotte King
 
1956 Meet Me in Las Vegas
Maria Corvier
 
1954 Deep in My Heart
Specialty in 'The Desert Song'
 
1953 Easy to Love
Girl in blue swimsuit - Cameo appearance (uncredited)
 
1953 Sombrero
Lola de Torrano
 
1952 Singin' in the Rain
Dancer
 
1952 The Wild North
Indian girl
 
1951 Mark of the Renegade
Manuella de Vasquez
 
1949 East Side, West Side
Rosa Senta
 
1949 Tension
Mary Chanler
 
1948 Words and Music
Margo Grant
 
1948 The Kissing Bandit
Dancer
 
1948 On an Island with You
Yvonne Torro
 
1947 The Unfinished Dance
Mlle. Ariane Bouchet
 
1947 Fiesta
Conchita
 
1946 Till the Clouds Roll By
Dance Specialty (segment 'Roberta')
 
1946 Three Wise Fools
Rena Fairchild
 
1946 The Harvey Girls
Deborah Andrews
 
1945 Ziegfeld Follies
Dance Specialty
 
1944 This Love of Mine (short)
Dancer (uncredited)
 
1943 Thousands Cheer
Dancer in Don Loper Number (uncredited)
 
1943 Mission to Moscow
Galina Ulanova - Ballerina (uncredited)
 
1943 Something to Shout About
Lily (as Lily Norwood)
 
1941 Escort Girl
Flamenco Dancer (uncredited)
 
1941 The Gay Parisian (short)
Dancer (uncredited)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (19 titles)
1994 That's Entertainment! III (documentary) (performer: "Baby, You Knock Me Out" 1955 - uncredited, "The Heather on the Hill" 1947 - uncredited, "Two-Faced Woman" 1953 - uncredited, "Dance of Fury" 1948 - uncredited, "The Girl Hunt" 1952 - uncredited)
 
1985 That's Dancing! (documentary) (performer: "Red Blues")
 
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (documentary) (performer: "All of You" 1955 - uncredited, "Broadway Rhythm" 1935 - uncredited)
 
1974 That's Entertainment! (documentary) (performer: "Dancing in the Dark" 1931 - uncredited)
 
1966 The Silencers (performer: "The Silencers", "Santiago")
 
1965 The Hollywood Palace (TV series)
Episode #2.18 (1965) (performer: "Let's Dance" - uncredited, "Ballet Blues" - uncredited, "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" - uncredited)
 
1957 Silk Stockings (performer: "Paris Loves Lovers" - uncredited, "It's a Chemical Reaction that's all" - uncredited, "Without Love" - uncredited, "Fated to Be Mated" - uncredited, "Red Blues" - uncredited)
 
1956 Meet Me in Las Vegas (performer: "Rehearsal Ballet", "Sleeping Beauty Ballet" excerpt, "Frankie and Johnny", "The Gal with the Yaller Shoes", "My Lucky Charm")
 
1955 It's Always Fair Weather (performer: "Baby, You Knock Me Out" 1955 - uncredited)
 
1954 Deep in My Heart (performer: "One Alone")
 
1954 Brigadoon (performer: "Waiting for My Dearie" - uncredited, "The Heather on the Hill" - uncredited, "The Heather on the Hill" reprise - uncredited)
 
1953 The Band Wagon (performer: "The Beggars Waltz" 1931 - uncredited, "Dancing in the Dark" 1931 - uncredited, "You and the Night and the Music" 1934 - uncredited, "New Sun in the Sky" 1931 - uncredited, "The Girl Hunt" 1953 - uncredited / "That's Entertainment" 1953 - uncredited)
 
1952 Singin' in the Rain (performer: "Broadway Rhythm Ballet" 1952 - uncredited)
 
1948 Words and Music (performer: "This Can't Be Love", "On Your Toes", "Blue Room")
 
1948 The Kissing Bandit (performer: "Dance of Fury")
 
1948 On an Island with You (performer: "The Pagan Mask" - uncredited)
 
1946 Till the Clouds Roll By (performer: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" - uncredited)
 
1946 The Harvey Girls (performer: "It's a Great Big World" - uncredited, "Swing Your Partner Round and Round" - uncredited)
 
1945 Ziegfeld Follies (performer: "Here's to the Girls", "There's Beauty Ev'rywhere")
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2002 What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' (video documentary short) (thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (64 titles)
2005 Get Aboard! The Band Wagon (video documentary short)
Herself
 
2004 The Masters Behind the Musicals (video documentary)
Herself
 
2003 Larry King Live (TV series)
Herself - Guest
Episode dated 5 August 2003 (2003) … Herself - Guest
 
2003 Satin and Silk (video short)
Herself / On Camera Host
 
1990-2002 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Herself
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) … Herself
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story (1990) … Herself (also archive footage)
 
2002 What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' (video documentary short)
Herself
 
2001 Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (TV special documentary)
Herself
 
2001 Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2000 Biography (TV series documentary)
Herself
Ann Miller: I'm Still Here (2000) … Herself
 
1996 Great Performances (TV series)
Herself
 
1996 Intimate Portrait (TV series documentary)
Herself
Marilyn Monroe (1996) … Herself
 
1996 Janet Jackson: Design of a Decade 1986/1996 (video documentary)
Herself (segment "Alright")
 
1995 Inside the Dream Factory (TV documentary)
Herself
 
1994 That's Entertainment! III (documentary)
Herself - Co-Host/Narrator (also archive footage)
 
1994 Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration (TV movie)
Herself
 
1994 That's Entertainment! III Behind the Screen (video documentary)
Herself (interview)
 
1993 The 5th Annual Legacy Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
1992 Cinema 3 (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 8 October 1992 (1992) … Herself
 
1992 MGM: When the Lion Roars (TV mini-series documentary)
Herself
The Lion in Winter (1992) … Herself
 
1990 The 35th Annual Thalians Gala (TV movie)
Herself
 
1990 America's Dance Honors (TV movie)
Herself
 
1990 Cinéma cinémas (TV series documentary)
Herself
Cyd Charisse (1990) … Herself
 
1990 Un dia és un dia (TV series)
Herself
Episode #1.14 (1990) … Herself
 
1990 Visioni private
Herself
 
1990 Cyd Charisse: Easy Energy Shape-Up (video)
Herself
 
1990 Janet Jackson: The Rhythm Nation Compilation (video)
Herself (segment "Alright")
 
1989 The 61st Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Performer
 
1989 America's All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (TV documentary)
Herself
 
1988 Lerner and Loewe: Broadway's Last Romantics (TV movie)
Herself
 
1987 Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (TV special documentary)
Herself
 
1986 Looks Familiar (TV series)
Herself - Guest
Episode #14.7 (1986) … Herself - Guest
 
1986 The 58th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Performer
 
1985 All-Star Party for 'Dutch' Reagan (TV movie)
Herself
 
1985 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Gene Kelly (TV special documentary)
Herself
 
1978 Gene Kelly: An American in Pasadena (TV special)
Herself
 
1977 Over Easy (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 29 December 1977 (1977) … Herself
 
1977 Wednesday at 8 (TV series)
Herself
Episode #2.4 (1977) … Herself
 
1977 The Hollywood Squares (TV series)
Guest Appearance
Episode dated 31 January 1977 (1977) … Guest Appearance
 
1977 Donny and Marie (TV series)
Herself
Episode #2.14 (1977) … Herself
 
1974 ABC Late Night (TV series)
Herself
That's Entertainment! 50 Years of MGM (1974) … Herself
 
1973 Film Portrait (documentary)
Herself
 
1968-1969 The Bob Hope Show (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 19 March 1969 (1969) … Herself
Episode dated 25 September 1968 (1968) … Herself
 
1966-1968 The Dean Martin Comedy Hour (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 17 October 1968 (1968) … Herself
Episode dated 8 September 1966 (1966) … Herself
 
1964-1967 The Hollywood Palace (TV series)
Dancer / Herself - Host / Herself - Dancer / …
Episode #4.27 (1967) … Herself - Host/Singer/Dancer
Episode #4.14 (1966) … Herself - Dancer
Episode #3.29 (1966) … Herself - Host/Dancer
Episode #2.18 (1965) … Herself/Guest Host/Dancer/Singer
Episode #2.16 (1965) … Herself - Sketch Actor
 
1966 The 38th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Specialty dancer
 
1964 The Linkletter Show (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 19 May 1964 (1964) … Herself
 
1962 The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (TV series)
Herself
Episode #7.4 (1962) … Herself
 
1962 The 34th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Co-Presenter: Music Awards
 
1962 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
Herself - Dancer
Episode #15.30 (1962) … Herself - Dancer
 
1961 The 33rd Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Co-Presenter: Cinematography Awards
 
1959 Startime (TV series)
Herself
Meet Cyd Charisse (1959) … Herself
 
1959 The 31st Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Co-Presenter: Best Foreign Language Film
 
1958 The 30th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Co-Presenter: Documentary Awards
 
1956 Person to Person (TV series documentary)
Herself
Episode #3.40 (1956) … Herself
 
1956 Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (TV series)
Herself
Spring Holiday (1956) … Herself
 
1956 What's My Line? (TV series)
Herself - Mystery Guest
Episode dated 18 March 1956 (1956) … Herself - Mystery Guest
 
1956 The Buick-Berle Show (TV series)
Herself - Dancer
Episode #8.8 (1956) … Herself - Dancer
 
1955 1955 Motion Picture Theatre Celebration (documentary short)
Herself (uncredited)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (20 titles)
2011 Terenci (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2009 Let's Dance (documentary)
Herself
 
2009 Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2009 The 81st Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Memorial Tribute
 
2009 The Orange British Academy Film Awards (TV movie)
Herself - Memorial Tribute
 
2009 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV movie)
Herself - Memorial Tribute
 
2008 The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - In Memoriam
 
2008 Tough Baby: Torch Song (video documentary short)
Herself
 
2007 A Life in Words and Music (video short)
Margo Grant
 
1997 Sobbin' Women: The Making of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' (TV documentary short)
Fiona Campbell in 'Brigadoon'
 
1993 The 65th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1992 Rock Hudson's Home Movies (documentary)
Charlotte King (archive footage: Twilight for the Gods [1958])
 
1991 Nylon blues (documentary)
 
1990 Marilyn: Something's Got to Give (TV documentary)
Herself
 
Biography (TV series documentary)
 
1985 That's Dancing! (documentary)
Herself (clip from "Silk Stockings")
 
1976 That's Entertainment, Part II (documentary)
Clip from 'Silk Stockings'
 
1974 That's Entertainment! (documentary)
Clip from 'Singin' in the Rain'
 
1963 Marilyn (documentary)
Herself (scene from "Something's Got to Give") (uncredited)
 
1955-1956 MGM Parade (TV series)
 

Related Videos

Cancer Can't Dance Like This: One Day at a Time -- Find out what happened on June 17 including famous birthdays like Barry Manilow and Venus Williams; famous deaths like Cyd Charisse; and notable events like the arrival of the Statue of Liberty in New York Singin' in the Rain -- Trailer for the classic musical Singin' in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. Two Weeks in Another Town -- Trailer for this film based on the best selling novel
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

"Bob Hope Show, The" (1968) See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Print Biographies  | 21 Articles  | 18 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Lily Norwood

Height:

5' 7½" (1.71 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on explaining why she never tapped on-screen] I was pulled up as a ballet dancer and I wasn't used to pounding the floor with bent knees. See more »

Trivia:

In 1952 she had a $5-million insurance policy accepted on her legs. See more »

Star Sign:

Pisces