Debbie Reynolds (born
April 1,
1932) was an actress discovered by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). A former beauty queen, who was seen in the movie business as very talented, Reynolds had small roles in several films before she was chosen to play the female lead in
Gene Kelly and
Stanley Donen[?]'s
musical comedy[?] Singin' in the Rain. Despite the fact that she had never danced seriously and did not know how to
tap dance prior to being chosen for the role, Debbie Reynolds' performance was generally praised; the movie became her 'big break'.
She continued to make films at MGM and at other studios such as The Unsinkable Molly Brown and The Singing Nun[?]. Post Hollywood, Reynolds is a veteran revue performer in Las Vegas. She is the mother of actress Carrie Fisher[?] (Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy).