In this file photo taken on May 10, 1984, U.S. director Stanley Donen attends the International Film Festival in Cannes. – Donen, one of the last Hollywood Golden Age stars, has died at the age of 94, one of his sons told the Chicago Tribune on Feb. 23, 2019. He directed dozens of movies and musicals, including the legendary “Singin’ in the Rain” in 1952 with Gene Kelly. Donen’s movies also include “Funny Face” with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Image: Ralph Gatti/AFP
Stanley Donen, who directed such beloved Hollywood classics as “Singin’ in the Rain”, “On the Town” and “Charade”, has died in New York at age 94.
His death of a heart attack was confirmed by one of his sons, Mark Donen, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Donen, whose films were known as witty, stylish and energetic, worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, from Audrey Hepburn to Fred Astaire.
Under Donen’s direction, Gene Kelly’s famously exuberant and water-logged dance scene in “Singin’ in the Rain” became one of cinema’s most iconic moments.
Though often overshadowed by his stars, Donen’s craft was hugely valued by his peers, earning him an Academy Award for lifetime achievement in 1998. It was his only Oscar.
He worked with the biggest dancers and choreographers of his time, including Bob Fosse and Gower Champion.
In this file photo taken on March 23, 1998, director Stanley Donen poses with his Oscar for Lifetime Achievement at the 70th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. – Donen, one of the last Hollywood Golden Age stars, has died at the age of 94, one of his sons told the Chicago Tribune on Feb. 23, 2019. He directed dozens of movies and musicals, including the legendary “Singin’ in the Rain” in 1952 with Gene Kelly. Donen’s movies also include “Funny Face” with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Image: Hal Garb/AFP
No one ‘contributed more’
“No other director, with the possible exception of Vincente Minnelli, contributed more aesthetically to the American musical,” Hollywood Reporter wrote in an appreciation.
But Donen was also famed for his direction of romantic comedies, like the hugely popular “Two for the Road,” starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney.
Donen, a South Carolina native, started dance lessons at age seven and left home shortly after high school to try his luck on Broadway, according to Variety.com. He met Kelly while in the chorus of “Pal Joey” and was eventually signed by MGM.
Donen’s breakthrough came with “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in 1954. He also worked on musicals “Pajama Game” and “Damn Yankees,” both choreographed by Fosse.
With Paramount, he directed 1957’s “Funny Face” starring Astaire and Hepburn.
Asked in later years how it was possible to work with Hepburn without falling in love with her, he replied, “It’s not.”
Donen was married five times, including to actresses Jeanne Coyne and Yvette Mimieux. He dated the actresses Judy Holliday and Elizabeth Taylor. And in his later years and up to his death he was the companion of actor, comedian and director Elaine May. MKH
RELATED STORIES:
Oscar-winning director Bernardo Bertolucci dies at 77
‘Big,’ ‘A League of Their Own’ director Penny Marshall dies at 75
Endearingly funny villain of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’