Kathryn Grayson

Kathryn Grayson (born February 9, 1922) is an American actress and singer who was born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Related Topics:
February 9 - 1922 - American - Actress - Singer - Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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She married twice: first to actor John Shelton; secondly to actor/singer Johnnie Johnston. She has one daughter. Throughout the 1950's she carried on an affair with the disturbed mogul Howard Hughes, and was briefly engaged to him, although this was not included in the recent movie version of his life.

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One of the most controversial sopranos with a high, if painfully aspirated, coloratura, Miss Grayson seems to have few admirers in the world of professional vocalists. Though she started out as MGM's answer to Deanna Durbin (with films such as Seven Sweethearts and Anchors Aweigh), she proved herself a decent star in the film versions of the Broadway hits Show Boat (1951) and Kiss Me, Kate (1953). Grayson also appeared in a duo of films with tenor Mario Lanza.

Related Topics:
Deanna Durbin - Seven Sweethearts - Anchors Aweigh - Broadway - Show Boat - 1951 - Kiss Me, Kate - 1953 - Mario Lanza

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With the end of MGM's great era of musicals, so ended Miss Grayson's film career. She took over for Julie Andrews on Broadway in Camelot, but flopped in the part. Although she had a lifelong dream of being an opera star, she never had much success with it, appearing in only a small handful of operas in the '60s.

Related Topics:
Julie Andrews - Camelot

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Despite being overshadowed these days by more talented or exciting MGM contemporaries such as Jane Powell, Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, Esther Williams and Ann Blyth, Miss Grayson has gained cult status among a small, but wildly devoted, crowd of fans. She appeared most recently on television in several episodes of Angela Lansbury's long-running series Murder, She Wrote.

Related Topics:
Jane Powell - Ann Miller - Cyd Charisse - Esther Williams - Ann Blyth - Angela Lansbury - Murder, She Wrote

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