HOWARD KEELA charismatic leading man in movie musicals of the 1950s, Howard Keel died on 7 November, 2004, aged 85.During the golden age of the Hollywood musical Howard Keel starred in some of the most lavish productions such as Showboat, Kiss Me Kate, Calamity Janeand Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.He also found new fame in the 1980swhen he secured a part in theAmericantelevisio ndrama Dallas . The popular soap opera about a Texas oil family was a massive hit all over the world and Mr Keel played the role of Clayton Farlow until the end of its run.Harold Clifford Keel was born into poverty on 13 April, 1919, in Gillespie, Illinois. His father was a Navy-man turned coal minerand his mother was a strict Methodist who forbade her two sons fromtaking part in many entertainments.After his father’s death in 1930 the family moved to California and after graduating from Fallbrook High School Mr Keel took a number of odd jobs before securing a job with the Douglas Aircraft Company.By chance he was overheard singing by his landlady who recognised his talent and encouraged him to take singing lessons. She also took him to a concert to see the great baritone Lawrence Tibbett who became one of Mr Keel’s musical heroes.Mr Keel’s first public performance came in 1941 when he played the role of Samuel the Prophet in Handel’s oratorio Saul and David. In 1945 he understudied John Raitt in Carousel on Broadway where he was spotted by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.The composers immediately made him the star of their show, Oklahoma! During this period Mr Keel performed the feat which has never since been repeated of playing the lead in both musicals in the same day.But it was during the London staging of Oklahoma! when Mr Keel really became a star. At the opening night at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1947 the audience, which included the Queen, demanded an amazing 14 encores.Mr Keel, now using the first name Howard, signed to MGM on his return to Hollywood and had an immediate hit playing Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun in 1950. Further hits followed with Showboat (1951) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).In 1943 Mr Keel married Rosemary Cooper.Following their divorce, Helen Anderson became his second wifein 1949. The couple had three children before divorcing in 1970. He married Judy Magamoll the same year and fathered his fourth child in 1974.His success in Dallas rejuvenated Mr Keel’s singing career and he enjoyed a successful concert career in the UK. In his later years Mr Keel was an active fundraiser for many charities.
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