George 'Gabby' Hayes

Hayes died in Burbank, California in 1969. His most notable moments on film include:. When the series ended he retired from show business. He was the first American to choreograph and stage a ballet in the Paris Opera. The western film genre declined in the late 1940's and Hayes made his last film appearance in The Cariboo Trail (1950). He moved to television and hosted The Gabby Hayes Show, a children's western series, from 1950 to 1954. Kelly married three times:. Hayes was a popular performer and consistently appeared among the ten favorite actors in polls taken of movie-goers of the period. He also received the Life Achievement Award from American Film Institute in 1985.

Hayes also was cast as a sidekick to western icons Randolph Scott and John Wayne. Kelly was awarded a special Academy Award “in appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film” in 1951 and reawarded in 1984's Academy Awards due to a fire which burned down his home in the previous year. As Gabby Whitaker, Hayes appeared in over forty pictures between 1939 and 1946, usually with Roy Rogers but also with Gene Autry or Bill Elliot. Kelly was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1960. Paramount held the rights to the name Windy Halliday, so a new nickname was created for Hayes' character; Gabby. An energetic and athletic performer, he was known for doing his own stunts. In 1939, Hayes left Paramount in a dispute over his salary and moved to Republic Pictures. Eugene Curran Kelly (born August 23, 1912 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died February 2, 1996 in Beverly Hills, California after suffering two strokes at the age of 83), was best known as an American dancer in films, but was also an actor, singer, director and choreographer.

Hayes played the part of Windy Halliday, the sidekick to Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), from 1935 to 1939. "If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando." -- Gene Kelly. Hayes, in real life an intelligent, well groomed, and articulate man, was cast as a grizzled codger who uttered phrases like "consarn it", "yer durn tootin", "durn persnickety female", and "young whipper snapper". Dancing on roller skates in An American in Paris. Ironically, Hayes would admit he had never been a big fan of westerns. Dancing with a mop, a squeaky floorboard and a newspaper in Summer Stock. He fortunately found a niche in the growing genre of western films, many of which were series with reoccurring characters. Singing and dancing in the rain in a much-parodied scene from the film Singin' in the Rain.

Hayes briefly retired in the 1920's but lost most of his money in the 1929 stock market crash and had to return to acting. Patricia Ward (1990–1996). In his early career, Hayes was cast in a variety of roles, including villains, and occasionally played two roles in a single film. Jeanne Coyne (1960–1973) (two children, Bridget and Tim). Hayes' film career began in 1923 with his appearance in the silent movie Why Women Marry. Betsy Blair (1940–1957) (one child, Kerry). The couple had no children. Xanadu (1980) - final film in which Kelly danced.

They remained together until Dorothy's death in 1957. This was the second and last time Kelly and Astaire danced together on film. Hayes married Olive Dorothy Ireland in 1914. That's Entertainment Part II (1976) - also directed. Hayes' early show business career including working in the circus, in vaudeville, on stage, and playing semi-professional baseball. That's Entertainment! (1974). In fact, he did not know how to ride a horse until he was in his forties and had to learn for movie roles. Hello, Dolly (1969) - Directorial and choreography credits.

Hayes was born in Wellsville, New York and did not come from a cowboy background. The Young Girls Of Rochefort, (1967). He was best known for his numerous appearances in western movies as the colorful sidekick to the leading man. What a Way to Go! (1964). George Francis 'Gabby' Hayes (May 7, 1885–February 9, 1969) was an American actor. Inherit the Wind (1960). Les Girls (1957) - Kelly's final film at MGM Studio.

Invitation to the Dance (1956). Brigadoon (1954). Singin' in the Rain (1952). An American in Paris (1951) - (Academy Award, special achievement, choreography).

Summer Stock (1950) - Judy Garland's final film at MGM Studio. In addition, directorial debut. On the Town (1949) - First musical film to be shot on location. The Pirate (1948).

Ziegfeld Follies - First of two films in which Kelly and Fred Astaire danced together. Anchors Aweigh (1945) - Included number combining live-action and animation, performed by Kelly and Jerry the mouse of Tom and Jerry. Cover Girl (1944) - Kelly danced with himself through trick photography. DuBarry Was a Lady (1943).

For Me and My Gal (1942).