Cyd Charisse Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Tula Ellice Finklea
Date of birth:
March 8. 1921
Place of birth:
Amarillo, Texas, USA
Astrology Sign:
Pisces
Height:
5' 7½" (1.71 m)
Tags:
Biography
Cyd Charisse is undoubtedly one of the most gifted dancers in the history of Hollywood. Her contributions to the dancing stage as an entertainer are immense. Cyd Charisse has been the role model and a constant source of inspiration to people around the world.
Cyd Charisse was born on March 8, 1921 in Amarillo, Texas. She was born as Tula Ellice Finklea and grew up to become the most famed dancer's of all times. Cyd Charisse first enrolled for classical dancing and soon became a part of the Russian Ballet in Monte-Carlo. She also grabbed the opportunity to work with great names like those of David Lichine and Leonid Massine.
Private Life
Cyd Charisse's first marriage to Nico Charisse, who was her ex-dance teacher, lasted merely 4 years. The relationship ended in the year 1943. Cyd Charisse's last appearance on stage with Nico Charisse was "Something to shout about", in which she is attributed as Lily Norwood. After her marriage to Nico Charisse ended, she tied the knot with singer Tony Martin in 1948, and its more than 50 years, something of an achievement for a Hollywood marriage!
Cyd Charisse has two sons, Nico "Nicky" Charisse from her first marriage and Tony Martin Jr. from her second. Tony Martin Jr. is married to Liv Lindeland, who was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month in January 1971 and also featured as Playmate of the Year for 1971.
Career
She started with playing a small role in a play "Mission to Moscow", directed by Michael Curtiz. Choreographer Robert Alton and produced by Arthur Freed. Aurthur had hired her after he spotted her at a locale dance play group. Cyd Charisse was to dance with Fred Astaire in "Ziegfeld Follies", directed by Vincente Minnelli. After this, Cyd Charisse's career took a great leap when she signed a seven year deal with the MGM. Her first opportunity with "The Harvey Girls", in 1945 turned the tables for her and allowed her to present her talent to the world.
Cyd Charisse was always known for her sex appeal and acted in many MGM musicals like Singing in the Rain (1952), The Band Wagon (1953), Brigadoon (1954), and Silk Stockings (1957).
Cyd Charisse also occupies a place in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records for most valuable legs, which were insured for a staggering $5 million insurance policy in 1952. Cyd Charisse had beaten the insurance record holder Betty Grable with this deal!
Now in her 80s, Cyd Charisse is still enthusiastic and makes frequent appearances in a number of documentaries. On November 9, 2006, she was presented with the National Medal of the Arts and Humanities, the highest official U.S. honor available in the arts.
Cyd Charisse was born on March 8, 1921 in Amarillo, Texas. She was born as Tula Ellice Finklea and grew up to become the most famed dancer's of all times. Cyd Charisse first enrolled for classical dancing and soon became a part of the Russian Ballet in Monte-Carlo. She also grabbed the opportunity to work with great names like those of David Lichine and Leonid Massine.
Private Life
Cyd Charisse's first marriage to Nico Charisse, who was her ex-dance teacher, lasted merely 4 years. The relationship ended in the year 1943. Cyd Charisse's last appearance on stage with Nico Charisse was "Something to shout about", in which she is attributed as Lily Norwood. After her marriage to Nico Charisse ended, she tied the knot with singer Tony Martin in 1948, and its more than 50 years, something of an achievement for a Hollywood marriage!
Cyd Charisse has two sons, Nico "Nicky" Charisse from her first marriage and Tony Martin Jr. from her second. Tony Martin Jr. is married to Liv Lindeland, who was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month in January 1971 and also featured as Playmate of the Year for 1971.
Career
She started with playing a small role in a play "Mission to Moscow", directed by Michael Curtiz. Choreographer Robert Alton and produced by Arthur Freed. Aurthur had hired her after he spotted her at a locale dance play group. Cyd Charisse was to dance with Fred Astaire in "Ziegfeld Follies", directed by Vincente Minnelli. After this, Cyd Charisse's career took a great leap when she signed a seven year deal with the MGM. Her first opportunity with "The Harvey Girls", in 1945 turned the tables for her and allowed her to present her talent to the world.
Cyd Charisse was always known for her sex appeal and acted in many MGM musicals like Singing in the Rain (1952), The Band Wagon (1953), Brigadoon (1954), and Silk Stockings (1957).
Cyd Charisse also occupies a place in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records for most valuable legs, which were insured for a staggering $5 million insurance policy in 1952. Cyd Charisse had beaten the insurance record holder Betty Grable with this deal!
Now in her 80s, Cyd Charisse is still enthusiastic and makes frequent appearances in a number of documentaries. On November 9, 2006, she was presented with the National Medal of the Arts and Humanities, the highest official U.S. honor available in the arts.