Donen, Stanley (1924-2019), was an American motion-picture director and choreographer (creator of dances) especially known for his musicals. With actor-dancer Gene Kelly, Donen directed Singin’ in the Rain (1952), often called the greatest musical in movie history. Donen and Kelly also directed the classic musical On the Town (1949). Donen’s other major musical films include Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), Funny Face (1957), and Pajama Game (co-directed with George Abbott, 1957).
Later in his career, Donen directed several sophisticated romantic comedies and thrillers. The comedies included Indiscreet (1958), The Grass Is Greener (1960), Two for the Road (1967), Bedazzled (1967), and Blame It on Rio (1984). Among his thrillers were Charade (1963) and Arabesque (1966).
Donen was born on April 13, 1924, in Columbia, South Carolina, and attended the University of South Carolina. He made his show-business debut in 1940 as a dancer in the stage musical Pal Joey, starring Gene Kelly. He assisted Kelly as choreographer of Best Foot Forward (1941) on Broadway and in the 1943 motion-picture version. Donen then settled in Hollywood, choreographing several musicals during the remainder of the 1940’s before receiving his first assignment as a director of On the Town. Donen died on Feb. 21, 2019, in New York City, New York.
