Eleanor Powell Tap Biography

Ironically, the woman dubbed "the queen of tapHer magical feet would lead to starring roles opposite
dancing" at one time disliked the dance form. Eleanorthe likes of Fred Astaire, James Stewart, and Robert
Powell (1912-1982) felt that tap dancing lacked grace.Taylor. The 1930s would be Eleanor Powell's decade.
After her break into show business at the age of 11,Role after role showcased her long legs and
she came to add her own grace to the dancingincomparable tap technique. Fred Astaire later said of
world. She made her mark and by age 17 she washer abilities, "She really knocked out a tap dance in a
dancing her way across Broadway.class by herself."
Eleanor's fast stepping tap routines landed her multipleThe 1940s brought a decline in Eleanor's career. Due
roles in musicals and chorus lines. By 1935, she wasto a prolonged recovery after surgery, her film
turning away film offers from MGM. Her taste forappearances began to wane. She married actor Glenn
Hollywood soured early on after a flop movie role inFord in 1943; making intermittent appearances in film
George White's 1935 Scandals. Eventually, Eleanorand television. The 1960s saw Eleanor launch a
landed her first starring role in Broadway Melody ofsuccessful career as a live performer in nightclub
1936 alongside Jack Benny. The role skyrocketedvenues. She maintained popularity through the 60s.
Eleanor's film career.