What Famous Dancer Starred in an American in Paris?

By Michael Ferguson

In 1951, the world was introduced to one of the most iconic musicals of all time, ‘An American in Paris’. The movie was directed by Vincente Minnelli and starred Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant. However, it was the stunning dance sequences that stole the show.

The lead dancer in ‘An American in Paris’ was none other than Gene Kelly himself. However, he wasn’t alone in his dance performances. Kelly was accompanied by a talented ballerina named Leslie Caron.

Leslie Caron played the role of Lise Bouvier in the movie. She was a French ballerina who falls in love with an American soldier named Jerry Mulligan (played by Gene Kelly). Their love story is beautifully portrayed through breathtaking dance sequences set against the backdrop of post-World War II Paris.

Caron’s performance in ‘An American in Paris’ received critical acclaim and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She had trained as a classical ballerina from a young age and had already made a name for herself in Europe before being discovered by Gene Kelly.

One of the most memorable scenes from the movie is when Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron dance together to George Gershwin’s ‘Our Love Is Here to Stay’. The scene is a stunning display of their chemistry as dancers and actors.

In addition to ‘An American in Paris’, Leslie Caron also starred in other popular movies such as ‘Gigi’ and ‘Fanny’. She continued to act well into her seventies and has since become an icon of classic Hollywood cinema.

In conclusion, while Gene Kelly may have been the lead dancer in ‘An American in Paris’, it was Leslie Caron’s talent and beauty that truly shone through. Her performance as Lise Bouvier remains a iconic moment not just for musical cinema but for all cinema enthusiasts.