Known
as “The Queen of Tap”, Eleanor has been a
dancer since childhood. Discovered at the age of 11 by
the head of the Vaudeville Kiddie revue, she was on Broadway
by the age of 17. Eleanor first appeared in Hollywood
by 1935, and was signed by MGM, which groomed her for
her future stardom without making many changes in her
makeup and conduct; over time she would be known for her
endless energy, enthusiasm, and her stunning dancing.
Eleanor would become famous enough to dance alongside
such legendary greats as Jimmy Stewart, Robert Taylor,
Fred Astaire, George Murphy, and Nelson Eddy. She maintained
her popularity thought the 1930s, although her increasingly
huge production numbers got to be a bit silly. By 1940
thought the gravy train began to lose steam. Eleanor left
MGM in 1943 after “Thousands Cheer”, and after
that many viewed her films to be a disappointment.
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Eleanor
tried to make a comeback in 1950, returning to MGM just
once, to guest star in “The Duchess of Idaho”.
She tried to start a highly publicized nightclub career,
maintaining her good figure and looks well into middle
age. Years later, with show biz behind her she became
interested in god and later became a minister. Eleanor
died of cancer in February of 1982 and was interred in
the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood.
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