Howard Keel

Because of Howard Keel's height, the leading ladies had to stand on boxes so they could appear in the same frame.

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Howard Keel was the original choice to star in Singin' in the Rain (1952). The role went to Gene Kelly instead.

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During and after Dallas (1978), Howard Keel remained good friends with Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy.

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Esther Williams gave swimming lessons to Howard Keel's daughter, Kaija Keel.

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Howard Keel met Judy Keel on a blind date and had never even heard her name. Judy was 26 and Howard was 51.

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The producers of Kiss Me Kate (1953) quickly agreed with Kathryn Grayson for the female lead, but they actually wanted Laurence Olivier, planning to dub his singing voice in the role of Petruchio. However, director George Sidney managed to promote Keel enough to land him the part.

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Before becoming a successful actor, Howard Keel also worked as a singing comic.

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Howard Keel's best friends included Ann Miller, Esther Williams, Cyd Charisse, Jack Elam, Keenan Wynn and George Sidney.

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After Jim Davis's death, the producers approached Howard Keel for the role of "Jock Ewing" on Dallas (1978), but out of respect for Davis, Keel turned them down and stayed in the role of "Clayton Farlow".

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Howard Keel was cremated and his ashes were scattered at beloved places such as Mere Golf Club, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Tuscany, Italy.

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Howard Keel served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1958 to 1959.

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Howard Keel played Curly in the original London cast of "Oklahoma", Fred Graham in "Kiss Me Kate" (1953) and the Hajj in "Kismet" (1955). The baritone Alfred Drake was the creator of all three roles on Broadway.

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From 1971 to 1992, Howard Keel was the father-in-law of actor Edward James Olmos, through Olmos's marriage to Keel's daughter Kaija Keel.

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While Howard Keel was at MGM in the 1950s, a mistake in the publicity department started a rumor that his birth name was Harold Leek. The rumor was soon accepted as fact, but it bothered Howard greatly. His real birth name was Harry Clifford Keel.

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Howard Keel died one month before Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) was added to the National Film Registry.

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Howard Keel's hobbies included singing, dancing, watching films, listening to opera, fishing, playing golf and spending time with his family.

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Before starting his singing and acting career, Howard Keel worked as a representative for the Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Southern California.

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Howard Keel's first wife, Rosemary Cooper, was an actress, and his second wife, Helen Anderson, was a dancer. His third wife and widow, Judy Keel, was a one-time flight attendant.

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Howard Keel's daughter with his third wife, Judy Keel, was Leslie Keel, born on 1 September 1974.

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After his father's death, Howard Keel and his mother Grace moved to San Diego, California, in 1930.

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Howard Keel began his career in 1950 as a contract player at MGM.

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Howard Keel was sought for the role of Emile in South Pacific (1958), but he was unable to get out of the contract he had signed in order to make the film.

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Howard Keel's children with Helen are Kaija Keel (born 14 January 1950), Kirstine Keel (born 21 June 1952) and Gunnar Keel (born 3 June 1955).

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Howard Keel is the grandfather of Mico Olmos and Bodie Olmos.

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Howard Keel was tall, standing 6'2 3/4".

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Howard Keel is best known for his role as Clayton Farlow in the series Dallas (1978).

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