From sickly to stunning: The polio survivor who became a Hollywood icon

 

Cyd Charisse could do it all — sing, act, and dance like a goddess.

And her legs? Absolutely legendary.

She stood as a symbol of grace, elegance, and pure physical artistry during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

A skinny and sickly girl

Women like Cyd Charisse will always be remembered for their gifts to the silver screen. As actors and actresses from that golden era pass away, it’s bittersweet —because that time truly showcased a level of talent we may never see again.

The Texas beauty embodied pure class — a true lady, graceful, kind, and effortlessly beautiful.

With her long, sculpted legs, captivating gaze, and effortless command of the dance floor, Cyd Charisse earned her place among Hollywood’s greatest dancers, standing shoulder to shoulder with legends like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

Yet her path to stardom was far from easy, and the story of her life is as compelling as the roles she brought to life on screen.

Born Tula Ellice Finklea on March 8, 1922, in Amarillo, Texas, Charisse faced early adversity and she was a sickly kid. Her nickname, ”Sid,” came from her older brother who had trouble saying “Sis.” Later, producer Arthur Freed adapted it into the spelling we know today: ”Cyd.”

After a bout of polio left her frail as a child, Cyd’s parents enrolled her in ballet lessons to help strengthen her body.

”I was skinny, and it looked like a good way to build me up,” she said. 

The therapy sparked a lifelong passion for dance, shaping the trajectory of her future.

Inside her screen magnetism

By her teenage years, Tula’s talent had already caught the attention of top dance instructors. She moved to Los Angeles to study under Adolph Bolm and later trained in London and Paris, honing her craft at prestigious ballet schools. During this time, she experimented with stage names — first adopting “Felia Sidorova” to emphasize a Russian ballet persona, and eventually settling on “Cyd Charisse,” combining a childhood nickname with her married surname.

Charisse’s first steps into film came through dance rather than dialogue. She appeared, uncredited, as a ballet dancer in Something to Shout About (1943) and continued to take small roles as a background dancer. But her poise, beauty, and screen magnetism did not go unnoticed.

MGM recognized her potential and signed her during a period when studios were cultivating their own dance stars. Though initially cast in minor films, she captured the spotlight when she danced alongside Gene Kelly in Ziegfeld Follies (1945). Even in a brief role, her fluid movements and natural chemistry with Kelly drew attention.

Her defining moment came in Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Though she didn’t speak a single line, her performance in the “Broadway Melody” sequence, clad in a shimmering green dress with her dark hair flowing and legs seemingly endless, became one of musical cinema’s most iconic scenes.

Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly?

Charisse often expressed that movement allowed her to convey emotions better than words ever could. She stood 5 feet 6 inches tall, but in heels and full-length stockings, she appeared statuesque, moving with remarkable elegance. Her flawless features and glossy black hair only added to her aura of perfection.

Her collaboration with Fred Astaire in The Band Wagon (1953) exemplified this philosophy. Their “Dancing in the Dark” sequence showcased her perfect blend of subtlety, romance, and technical precision — earning Astaire’s praise as “beautiful dynamite.”

Unlike many dancers who relied purely on speed or technical skill, Charisse fused ballet elegance with expressive drama. Her mastery of jazz, modern, and classical dance styles made her versatile. And when asked whether she enjoyed dancing more with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse replied:

“I’d say they were the two greatest dancing personalities ever to grace the screen. Each has a unique style and is a delight to work with. But it’s like comparing apples and oranges — they’re both equally wonderful.”

Cyd Charisse husband

Off-screen, she was known for her professionalism and discretion, steering clear of Hollywood’s notorious party scene. Her focus on craft earned her immense respect from colleagues and choreographers alike.

As the golden age of movie musicals waned in the 1960s, Charisse transitioned to television and stage work, making guest appearances on variety shows and starring in Broadway productions like Grand Hotel in the 1990s. She also toured with her husband in a nightclub act, proving that her grace and skill could captivate audiences well into her seventies.

Her contributions were formally recognized when she received the National Medal of Arts in 2006 from President George W. Bush, along with an honorary doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Cyd Charisse married singer Tony Martin in 1948, a marriage that lasted over six decades until her passing. They met in classic Hollywood fashion.

“Well, he had an agent — Nat Goldstone — and I also had the same agent. Nat introduced me to Tony, and there happened to be a popular foreign film showing in town that everyone was eager to see. He invited me to go with him, and that’s how we started dating,” Cyd shared in an interview with Television Academy.

When tragedy struck

Together, they had one child, and Charisse also had a son from a previous marriage. Despite her glamorous image, her personal life mostly remained private, stable, and free from scandal — a rare feat in Hollywood.

But tragedy struck Cyd Charisse’s family on May 25, 1979, the start of the Memorial Day weekend, when American Airlines Flight 191 crashed just outside Chicago.

The flight, bound from O’Hare to L.A., lost an engine shortly after takeoff and plunged into a suburban trailer park in Des Plaines, Illinois, killing all 258 passengers, 13 crew members, and two people on the ground.

Among the victims was Sheila Charisse, the 36-year-old wife of Nico Charisse, Cyd’s son from her first marriage.

The crash was the deadliest civilian air disaster in U.S. history before 9/11, and it shook the flying public’s confidence in the DC-10. The plane was soon largely relegated to cargo service, where it still serves both domestically and internationally. Today, the only memorial to the 273 lives lost is a weathered banner near the crash site — a quiet reminder of that devastating day.

Nico Charisse, Sheila’s husband, had a unique Hollywood upbringing. Born to Cyd Charisse and her first husband, Nico Charisse Sr., a much older dance teacher, Nico Jr. became practically adopted by Tony Martin after Martin married Cyd in 1948. With a new half-brother, Tony Martin Jr., and loving, healthy parents, Nico Jr. grew up in a stable, drama-free Hollywood household—something rare in the industry.

In the late 1960s, Nico had met Sheila Marie Snodgrass. They married, and life seemed full of promise. Nico had just been admitted to the California Bar in 1977 and was beginning his career as a lawyer. But just two years later, the family’s world was shattered when Sheila died in the Flight 191 crash.

The disaster not only took lives but also left an indelible mark on Cyd Charisse and her family — a heartbreaking reminder that even those surrounded by Hollywood glamour are not spared from tragedy.

Cyd Charisse cause of death

Cyd Charisse passed away on June 17, 2008, at age 86, following a heart attack.

While her passing marked the end of an era, her influence continues to inspire dancers and performers worldwide.

Her legacy goes beyond the films she starred in — she redefined what it meant to be a female dancer in Hollywood. She was never just a supporting presence; she often became the emotional and visual center of her films, combining athleticism, grace, and expressive artistry.

Decades later, audiences and critics alike still marvel at her performances.

Whether it’s the sensual confidence she radiated in Singin’ in the Rain or the romantic sophistication of The Band Wagon, Cyd Charisse remains an enduring icon — a performer whose language was movement and whose legacy continues to dance on. Share this story to honor her.