Cyd Charisse was much more than just a beautiful face on the silver screen—she was a remarkable dancer, actress, and symbol of grace during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Born Tula Ellice Finklea in Amarillo, Texas, in 1922, she had a tough start. As a sickly child, she battled polio, which left her fragile. To build her strength, her parents enrolled her in ballet lessons, which sparked a lifelong passion for dance.
By her teens, Tula was training in prestigious ballet schools in Los Angeles, London, and Paris. Changing her stage name to Cyd Charisse, she began appearing in films as a dancer, including a memorable performance alongside Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Though her roles rarely involved speaking lines, her magnetic presence and legendary legs became her signature.
Cyd went on to star with Fred Astaire in The Band Wagon (1953), showcasing her blend of elegance, romance, and technical skill. Off-screen, she remained professional and grounded, married to singer Tony Martin for over six decades. Her career spanned stage, television, and film, and her legacy was recognized with the National Medal of Arts in 2006. She passed away in 2008, but her influence on Hollywood musicals and dance lives on.
