Howard Keel

Howard Keel was an actor whose booming baritone and commanding stage presence made him a staple of Hollywood musicals during the mid-20th century. Born Harold Clifford Leek on April 13, 1919, in Gillespie, Illinois, Keel's life followed a trajectory that transformed him from a small-town boy into a silver screen sensation. Keel's early years were marked by the struggles of the Great Depression, an era when dreams often felt far-flung. Raised by his mother after his father died when he was just 11, Keel took solace in music from an early age. His natural singing talent went largely unnoticed during his adolescence until a chance encounter at a church social auctioned his latent potential into the public eye. After high school, Keel worked various jobs, including as a singing waiter — perhaps an early nod to his performative future — before he volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Fate, however, would have his life take a significant turn, setting his sights not on the skies, but on the stages of Broadway and, eventually, Hollywood. His first brush with the world of performance came in 1945, when he scored a small role in "Carousel." Yet, it was his portrayal of Billy Bigelow in the London production of "Carousel" in 1947 that truly shone a spotlight on his exceptional talent. The theatrical community took notice, and soon Keel found himself in the role of Curly, in the West End production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" It was a fortuitous casting that would propel him across the Atlantic to the title role in the original Broadway company. The burgeoning Hollywood musical scene was quick to recognize his talent, resulting in a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). His entrance into the film industry was celebrated with his first screen role in 1950’s "Annie Get Your Gun," where he starred opposite the indomitable Betty Hutton. As Frank Butler, Keel found an ideal role that showcased his virile charm alongside his tenacious vocal prowess. Throughout the 1950s, Keel starred in a series of triumphs that underscored the vivacity of the post-war American musical. Hits such as "Show Boat" (1951), "Kiss Me Kate" (1953), and the effervescent "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954) made full use of his baritone resonance and rugged good looks. Keel's screen personas were often marked by an intriguing blend of romance and humor, a combination allied effortlessly to the vibrant and multifaceted storytelling of his time. "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" became an iconic staple of the genre, with Keel's portrayal of the hardscrabble pioneer Adam Pontipee. The film’s vitality and the infectious cadence of its songs, alongside the dexterity of its leading man, left a legacy imprinted in the annals of musical cinema history. However, Howard Keel's career did not wane with the muscle of musicals. As the popularity of the genre began to decline in the late 1950s, Keel's versatile talent paved the way for his transition into dramatic roles and later television. His stage work continued to flourish, and Keel was never far from the footlights, rejuvenating his career with performances in productions such as "South Pacific" and "Man of La Mancha." A significant renaissance in his screen career came with the popular television series "Dallas," where he starred as the oil baron Clayton Farlow from 1981 to 1991. His participation imbued the soap opera with a sturdiness that accentuated the scheming combustibility of the Ewing family. This role cemented Keel as a household name among a new generation of television viewers. Keel was also active as a concert performer, a platform that allowed his music to resonate well beyond any set stage or film screen. His concerts and television appearances in the later years of his life, such as his performance in "An Evening with Howard Keel," served as an enduring tribute to his lyricism and love for song, attributes that had first captivated audiences decades earlier. Beneath the veneer of a booming voice and broad smile was an artist of genuine passion, someone who carried the melodic storytelling of a generation across the threshold of various entertainment mediums. His personal life, marked by marriages and fatherhood, was every bit as textured as his varied roles. Howard Keel passed away on November 7, 2004, at the age of 85 in Palm Desert, California. His story is one marked by enduring artistry, a testament to the power that a robust voice and an intrepid heart can have in charming the world. In life and legacy, Keel remains a towering figure, a signpost of an era where charm, talent, and musicality ruled the silver screen, forever enshrining him as an icon of classic American entertainment.