Trivia

Due to his height, petite leading ladies had to stand on boxes to be in the same frame.

During the shooting of Annie Get Your Gun (1950), he broke his leg when his horse fell on him. He was laid up for six weeks.

Was the original choice to play the lead in Singin' in the Rain (1952). The part went to Gene Kelly instead.

Esther Williams gave his daughter, Kaija Keel, swimming lessons.

Remained good friends with Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy during and after Dallas (1978).

Met Judy Keel on a blind date, who never even heard of him. Judy was 26, Howard was 51.

The producers of Kiss Me Kate (1953) signed Kathryn Grayson immediately for the femme lead but actually wanted Laurence Olivier in the Petruchio role with plans to dub his singing voice. Director George Sidney, however, was able to promote Keel enough for him to get the part.

Was best/good friends with: Ann Miller, Esther Williams, Cyd Charisse, Jack Elam, Keenan Wynn and George Sidney.

Before he was a successful actor, he also worked as a singing busboy.

Producers approached Howard Keel for the role of "Jock Ewing" on Dallas (1978) after Jim Davis's death but, out of respect for Davis, Keel turned them down and remained in the role of "Clayton Farlow".

Was cremated and his ashes scattered at various favorite places including Mere Golf Club, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and in Tuscany, Italy.

(1958-1959) President of Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

Originally scheduled to portray Franklin D. Roosevelt in "Sunrise at Campobello," a case of pneumonia forced him to abandon the role before it got to Broadway. Ralph Bellamy replaced him and won numerous awards, including the Tony. Keel played the role eventually on tour.

Portrayed Curly in the original London cast of "Oklahoma", Fred Graham in "Kiss Me Kate" (1953), and Hajj in "Kismet" (1955). Baritone Alfred Drake originated all three roles on Broadway.

From 1971-1992 he was the father-in-law of actor Edward James Olmos through Olmos' marriage to Keel's daughter Kaija Keel.

In the 1950s, while he was at MGM, a mistake in the publicity department started the rumor that Howard's birth name was Harold Leek. The rumor soon became regarded as fact, though it annoyed Howard very much. His true birth name was Harry Clifford Keel.

Died one month before his film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) was being inducted into National Film Registry.

His hobbies included: singing, dancing, watching movies, listening to opera, fishing, golfing, spending time with his family.

Worked as a representative for the Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Southern California before embarking on his singing and acting career

First wife, Rosemary Cooper, was an actress and second wife, Helen Anderson, was a dancer. Third wife & widow, Judy Keel, was a one-time flight attendant.

After his father's death, he and his mother, Grace, moved to San Diego, California, in 1930.

Daughter with third wife, Judy Keel: Leslie Keel, was born September 1, 1974.

Began his career as a contract player at MGM in 1950.

Was sought for the role of Emile in South Pacific (1958), but couldn't get out of his contract to do the picture.

Children with Helen: Kaija Keel (born January 14, 1950), Kirstine Keel (born June 21, 1952) and Gunnar Keel (born June 3, 1955).

Grandfather of Mico Olmos and Bodie Olmos.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 294-296. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.

His towering height (he was 6'2 3/4").

Best known for his role as Clayton Farlow on Dallas (1978).