Tony Martin

Cyd Charisse, June 17, age 86: The leggy Texas beauty was a talented dramatic actress, but Charisse was best known as a dancer in MGM's golden era of musicals, especially opposite Fred Astaire in "The Band Wagon." Astaire, notably cranky about the level of talent of his dancing... more partners, was in awe of Charisse's grace and talent, calling her "beautiful dynamite" in his 1959 memoir. Born Tula Ellice Finklea in Amarillo, Texas, Charisse studied classical ballet in Los Angeles. After signing a contract with MGM, she danced with Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain," with a 25-foot silk scarf as their third, graceful partner, and in "Brigadoon." She had to decline appearing in "An American in Paris," however, because she was pregnant (Leslie Caron got the part). She married actor Tony Martin (now 95) in 1948 and the two often performed together, and co-wrote their joint autobiography, "The Two of Us." In 1983, Astaire provided perhaps the ultimate compliment: "When we were dancing, we didn't know what time it was."

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