Famed MGM Dancer Cyd Charisse Is Dead

Cyd Charisse, who was known for her dancing in classic films with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. She was in her mid-80s. Her publicist confirmed to press that Charisse was admitted to the hospital Monday after suffering a heart attack and did not recover.

A Texas native, she got her start with the Ballet Russe, but became known as a darling of the musicals of the 1940s and '50s. Along with Rain, Charisse starred in numerous classics, including Ziegfeld Follies, The Band Wagon and Brigadoon. MGM was her home studio, and she once described it as a "fairyland," says the AP. Born as Tula Ellice Finklea, Charisse married Nico Charisse in 1939, and then Tony Martin in 1948. She has two sons, Tony Jr. and Nicky.

Silk Stockings was the last of her dancing roles in films, but she continued to act in dramatic roles, making her Broadway debut in 1992. One of her more famous subsequent roles was as Dean Martin's new wife in 1962's Something's Got to Give - which was Marilyn Monroe's final, unfinished movie. - Anna Dimond

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will air a three-film tribute to Cyd Charisse on Friday, June 27 (all times ET):

8 pm, Singin' in the Rain (1952)
10 pm, The Band Wagon (1953)
Midnight, Silk Stockings (1957)

Use our Online Video Guide to see some of Charisse's famous routines.