Ray McDonald (dancer)
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Ray McDonald (June 27, 1920 – February 20, 1959)[1] was a tap dancer who started his career as a vaudeville act with his older sister Grace McDonald, before being cast in a hit Broadway show, and then in films.[2][3][4][unreliable source?] He had a starring role in the films Down in San Diego and Born to Sing, some leading roles in other films, as well as lesser roles including in uncredited dance sequences.[4][unreliable source?]
McDonald's Broadway credits include Park Avenue (1946), Winged Victory (1943), Crazy With the Heat (1941), and Babes in Arms (1937).[5]
Personal life
[edit]McDonald was born in New York City. His sister Grace was two years older. She was contracted to Universal while he signed with MGM.[citation needed]
He was married to actress Elisabeth Fraser from 1944 until 1952 and then actress Peggy Ryan from 1953 until 1957.[4][unreliable source?] In 1949, he appeared with her in There's a Girl in My Heart and co-starred with her in the musical Shamrock Hill.[6][7] On December 4, 1956, they guest starred on the Mickey Mouse Club.[8]
He died in 1959 at age 38 in New York City after choking on food in his hotel room.[3]
Filmography
[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Life Begins for Andy Hardy | Jimmy Frobisher | |
| 1941 | Down in San Diego | Hank Parker | |
| 1941 | Babes on Broadway | Ray Lambert | |
| 1942 | Born to Sing | Steve | |
| 1943 | Presenting Lily Mars | Charlie Potter | |
| 1944 | Winged Victory | Flyer – Dance Specialty | Uncredited |
| 1946 | Till the Clouds Roll By | Dance Specialty | (segment: "Leave It to Jane") |
| 1947 | Good News | Bobby Turner | |
| 1948 | Whiplash | Second | Uncredited |
| 1949 | Shamrock Hill | Larry Hadden | |
| 1949 | Flame of Youth | Bill Crawford | |
| 1949 | There's a Girl in My Heart | Danny Kroner | |
| 1951 | Inside Straight | Minor Role | Uncredited |
| 1953 | All Ashore | Skip Edwards |
References
[edit]- ^ Quigley, Martin; Monush, Barry (July 4, 1995). "McDonald, Ray: Actor, Dancer". First Century of Film. OCLC 516144106 – via Open WorldCat.
- ^ "Police Find Dancer Dead in His Hotel". The New York Times. February 21, 1959.
- ^ a b "Overview for Ray McDonald". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ a b c "Today's Underrated Actor Spotlight: Ray McDonald". September 2, 2015.
- ^ "("Ray McDonald" search results)". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "SHAMROCK HILL Original 1949 Photo PEGGY RYAN Ray McDonald". www.backlotmovie.com.
- ^ Bergan, Ronald (November 6, 2004). "Obituary: Peggy Ryan" – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Original MMC Show: Guest Stars". www.originalmmc.com.
External links
[edit]- Ray McDonald at IMDb
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