This is my little space to pay homage to the people who have passed away and to remember them for their gifts to us.
On September 28, 2003 Mr. Donald O'Connor died at the age of 78 years. He is mostly remember for his role in the classic musical "Singin in the Rain" for which he played a happy go lucky pal of Gene Kelly's and he did a great rendition of the song "Make 'em Laugh". He also played in the Francis the talking mule movies.
Mr. O'Connor died from heart failure at the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital in Woodland Hills, his family was with him.
He was the son of circus trapeze artists turned vaudevillians. He was born on August 28, 1925, in Chicago and made his first stage appearance and the ripe old age of three days old. By the time he was 13 months old he was working in the act, earning his first paycheck dancing and doing acrobatic tricks.
He made his film debute at the age of 11 with his two brothers in "Melody for Two" in 1937, and a year later signed with Paramount.
Even though he had no formal dance lessons, he also developed into one of the most versatile singer-dancers on the silver screen. He was in such musicals as; "Call Me Madam," "There's No Business Like Show Business".
I've always thought he was cast perfectly in the bio-picture "The Buster Keaton Story". He was the only one that could do Keaton justice.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years Gloria and their four children and four grandchildren.
RJ Avent 2003
