10 Facts About.... Cyd Charisse
Took her name Cyd from a nickname originated from her brother. Initially he could not say sister and called her Sid. She took the nickname and convinced her agent to keep the name with the present spelling. He feared that Sid was too masculine.
Began taking ballet lessons as a child to build up her strength after a bout with polio.
Joined the Ballet Russe at the age of 14, performing under the names Maria Istomina and Felia Sidorova; married her dance instructor Nico Charisse when she was 18.
Appeared in bits in movies starting in 1943 under the name Lily Norwood; signed by MGM in 1946 and renamed Cyd Charisse; appeared in small parts in several of the studo's musicals.
Star-making role came in 1952's Singin' in the Rain opposite Gene Kelly in the sensational "Broadway Melody" production number.
Was also paired with Kelly in the classic musicals Brigadoon (1954) and It's Alway's Fair Weather (1955); danced with Fred Astaire in The Band Wagon (1953) and Silk Stockings (1957). Asked which of the two legends she preferred, she replied, "It's like comparing apples and oranges. They're both delicious."
In an early role, she had her first speaking part supporting Judy Garland in the 1946 film The Harvey Girls.
MGM publicity department once claimed to have insured her famously long and shapely legs for $5 million.
As Hollywood's golden age of musicals died out in the 1960s, she made occasional appearances on TV and launched a successful nightclub act with her husband Tony Martin.
Appeared in Janet Jackson's music video for "Alright" in 1990.
