Howard Keel American actor and singer Date of Birth: 13.04.1919 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Discovery
2. Vocal Training and Stage Debut
3. Breakthrough in London and Hollywood
4. Film Career at MGM
5. Declining Career and Personal Life
6. Resurgence and Final Years

Early Life and Discovery

Harry Keel was bornon April 13, 1919, in Gillespie, Illinois, to Homer Keel, a coal miner and former sailor, and his wife, Grace. His childhood was marked by poverty. Teacher Rosa Burke noticed that Harry never had lunch and from then on always brought two lunches, one for herself and one for Harry. He always sent her tickets to his performances once he became a successful performer.

After his father's deathin 1930, Harry and his mother moved to California. He graduated high school at 17 and worked odd jobs until he landed a job as a traveling salesman for the Douglas Aircraft Company. At age 20, a housewife overheard him singing and urged him to take voice lessons.

Vocal Training and Stage Debut

Aspiring to emulatethe great baritone Lawrence Tibbett, Keel was disappointed to find out he had a high bass voice. In the summer of 1941, he made his public debut as the prophet Samuel in Handel's oratorio "Saul and David," duetting with bass George London.

In 1945, Keel madehis Broadway debut in "Carousel" and then "Oklahoma!," considered the first true musical as its musical numbers advanced the plot. On opening night, Keel performed the feat he would never repeat: playing the lead roles in both shows on the same day.

Breakthrough in London and Hollywood

In 1947, "Oklahoma!" becamethe first American postwar musical to tour London. At the premiere on April 30 at the Drury Lane Theatre, the audience, which included the future Queen Elizabeth II, gave the cast 14 curtain calls. Harold Keel, now known as Howard, became a star.

Kheel also madehis film debut in London in 1948's "The Small Voice," released in the U.S. as "Hideout." He played an escaped convict holding a playwright and his wife captive in their rural cottage.

Film Career at MGM

Kheel signed a contractwith Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1949. He made his film musical debut as Frank Butler in "Annie Get Your Gun" (1950). MGM seemed uncertain how best to utilize his talents, and he appeared in mostly forgettable low-budget musicals, Westerns, and crime dramas.

In 1953, MGM loanedKeel to Warner Brothers for the "Oscar"-winning Western "Calamity Jane." He was soon released from his MGM contract and returned to the stage with a sense of relief.

Declining Career and Personal Life

With America's tastes changingin the 1960s, Keel's opportunities dwindled. He performed in nightclubs, summer stock, and cabaret and began drinking heavily. Helen divorced him in 1970.

However, fortune smiledwhen Keel met flight attendant Judy Magamoll on a blind date. She was 25 years his junior and had never even heard of him. Keel was smitten but concerned about their age difference. Judy was unfazed and convinced him to give their relationship a chance. They married in December 1970 and remained together for 34 years. Judy gave Keel another daughter.

Resurgence and Final Years

Kheel landed a cameoon television in 1980 as oil baron Clayton Farlow in the popular soap opera "Dallas." The role provided him with a decade of work and renewed popularity, during which he successfully recorded and sold albums.

Retiring in 1994,Howard and Judy moved to Palm Desert, California. They dedicated themselves to philanthropy, focusing on child abuse prevention. Howard passed away on November 7, 2004, at age 85, six weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in places he loved.