Biography
A former dancer, he befriended Gene Kelly, who joined forces with Donen on Broadway and later in feature films for the dancing legend like "On the Town" (1949) and what was widely considered the most popular musical ever made, "Singin' in the Rain" (1952). Donen also directed his idol Fred Astaire in "Royal Wedding" (1951) and "Funny Face" (1957), and helmed such crowd-pleasing titles as "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954) and "Damn …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
1999 | Made TV directorial debut with adaptation of A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" (ABC) |
1998 | Received honorary Academy Award for career achievement (March) |
1993 | Made Broadway debut as director of ill-fated musical "The Red Shoes" |
1984 | Produced and directed last feature "Blame It on Rio" |
1978 | Helmed the homage to old Hollywood "Movie Movie" |
1967 | Directed Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney in "Two for the Road" |
1963 | Produced and directed the stylish comedy-mystery "Charade," starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn |
1958 | Reteamed with Abbott to direct musical "Damn Yankees!" |
1957 | Directed Audrey Hepburn in "Funny Face"; film nominated for Palme d'Or at Cannes |
1957 | First film as producer, "The Pajama Game"; also co-directed with George Abbott |
1954 | Helmed Oscar Best Picture nominated "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" |
1952 | Co-directed the film classic "Singin' in the Rain" with Kelly |
1951 | Solo film directing debut, "Royal Wedding" |
1949 | Film co-directing debut (with Kelly), "On the Town" |
1949 | Debut as co-director and co-story writer (with Kelly) of "Strictly USA" number in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" |
1944 | Worked with Kelly on choreography for "Cover Girl" |
1943 | Went to Hollywood as assistant choreographer and member of dancing chorus of film version of "Best Foot Forward" |
1941 | Worked as assistant choreographer (to Kelly) in Broadway musical "Best Foot Forward" |
1940 | Broadway debut (as chorus boy) in "Pal Joey," starring Gene Kelly |
Awards
1996 | Palm Springs International Film Festival for Desert Palm Achievement Award |
1967 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in Two For the Road |
1967 | San Sebastian International Film Festival for Official Awards - Gold Shell in Two For the Road |
1958 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in Damn Yankees |
1958 | Golden Globe Award for Picture - Musical in Damn Yankees |
1957 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in Funny Face |
1954 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers |
1952 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in Singin' in the Rain |