Howard Keel gained instant stardom as Betty Hutton's singing cowboy love interest in "Annie Get Your Gun" (1950) and subsequently enjoyed half a decade of musical stardom, mostly at MGM, breaking in feisty female fillies in a number of lavish and tuneful comedy-dramas. Tall, rugged and barrel-chested, with a zestful confidence ideal for cheerful braggadocio and a stirring baritone voice to go with it, Keel appeared in a host of other musicals through 1955. Especially notable was "Kiss Me Kate" (1953), the best of his several vehicles opposite soprano Kathryn Grayson, whom at one point Keel was
Moved to Southern California at age 16 (date approximate)
Worked as a singing busboy in a Los Angeles cafe
Worked for Douglas Aircraft as a manufacturing representative travelling among various company plants; work included singing; won a first prize award at the Mississippi Valley while on the road; also won an award at the Chicago Music Festival
Began singing career with the American Music Theatre in Pasadena, California
Chosen by Oscar Hammerstein II to perform on Broadway in "Carousel"; succeeded John Raitt in the leading role of Billy Bigelow; also took over the leading role of Curly in "Oklahoma"
