Stanley Donen

Stanley Donen, who directed Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling, Gene Kelly singing in the rain and a host of other sparkling moments from some of Hollywood’s greatest musicals, died on Thursday February 21 2018 in Manhattan. He was 94. His son, Mark Donen, confirmed the death. Stanley Donen was born on April 13, 1924, in Columbia, S.C., the son of Mordecai Moses Donen, the manager of a chain store that sold midrange dresses, and the former Helen Cohen. Mr. Donen moved to New York as soon as he could after spending a semester at the University of South Carolina studying psychology, a subject he had taken up to please his father. He landed a job in “Pal Joey.” All five of Mr. Donen’s marriages — to the dancer and choreographer Jeanne Coyne, the actress Marion Marshall, Adelle Beatty, the actress Yvette Mimieux and Pamari Braden — ended in divorce. The director and performer Elaine May was his companion of many years. He is survived by his sons, Mark and Joshua Donen, and a sister, Carla Davis. Another son, Peter, preceded him in death.