He was brought up in a dancing family and initialy worked in the theatre. It was this work that led him to Hollywood and his first film For Me And My Girl opposite Judy Garland. This was a break from the Astaire / Rogers style of musical being more relaxed. He was one who worked with his co-stars and brougt the best out of both of them. MGM signed him up to appear in a number of musicals including Cover Girl with Rita Hayworth. He directed many of his dance routines and imposed on them his style which was natural and a change from previous styles. He merged dance and character. With Anchors Aweigh he persuaded MGM to have a sequence where he danced with an animated mouse, the first time this combination had been done.
In Zeigeld Follies he worked with Fred Astaire and showed their differences. as Gene Kelly moved cinema dance to a different level. With The Pirate and The Three Musketeers he showed his acting and action abilities. He wanted more control and with On The Town he was co-director. This was followed by An American In Paris with some extrodinary dance sequences and for which he won a special Oscar. This was followed by the film he isbest remembered for, Singin' In The Rain. The scene with him singing in the rain with the umbrella is probably the most recognised dance sequence in film. After this he worked in Europe but the film industry was changing and and Bridagadoon with Cyd Charisse was the last of his major films. Whilst his dancing career declined he did have a high point when he directed Hello Dolly! in 1959. He was married three times.