Cyd Charisse ( March 8, 1922-June 17, 2008) was one of the greatest dancing queens of all time; with long muscular legs and beautifully arched feet, Cyd was a knock out who could move like a piece of silk swaying in the wind and turn with the energy of a twister. Cyd was one of the handful of girls who danced with both Astaire & Kelly but what separated her from all the rest? not in technique or beauty but the personality within her movement? She was known to have quite a sense of humor and sweetness in person, but on the screen her character was often dark and mysterious, dancing with sensuality and even at times devilishness towards her partners; this was quite different from the always gleeful girlishness of Rita Hayworth or the energetic delight of Ginger Rogers because Cyd appeared to be controling her partners rather then the other way around perhaps that had something to do with her dancing background; she had trained to be a ballerina from age 6, trying to gain back the strangth she had lost from fighting polio! can you imagine that, one of the top dancers ever having polio? Anyways she not only gained back her strangth but more, growing into an inspirational dancer and person. check out these cool quotes by Cyd on her life and the people she worked with! 

(on Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly) I can watch Astaire anytime. I don`t think he ever made a wrong move. He was a perfectionist. He would work on a few bars for hours until it was just the way he wanted it. Gene was the same way. They both wanted perfection, even though they were completely different personalities.

(on Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly) Fred could never do the lifts Gene did and never wanted to. I`d say they were the two greatest dancing personalities who were ever on the screen. Each has a distinctive style. Each is a joy to work with. But it`s like comparing apples and oranges. They`re both delicious.

(On explaining why she never tapped on-screen) I was pulled up as a ballet dancer and I wasn`t used to pounding the floor with bent knees.

The censors were always there when I was on the set. When I was held up. in a lift (in "Deep in My Heart") they were up on ladders to see if I was properly covered.

Fred moved like glass. Physically it was easy to dance with him. It was not as demanding on me. I didn`t need the same vitality and strength.

Fred moved like glass. Physically it was easy to dance with him. It was not as demanding on me. I didn`t need the same vitality and strength.

(on Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly) Fred could never do the lifts Gene did and never wanted to. I`d say they were the two greatest dancing personalities who were ever on the screen. Each has a distinctive style. Each is a joy to work with. But it`s like comparing apples and oranges. They`re both delicious.

The censors were always there when I was on the set. When I was held up. in a lift (in "Deep in My Heart") they were up on ladders to see if I was properly covered.

(On explaining why she never tapped on-screen) I was pulled up as a ballet dancer and I wasn`t used to pounding the floor with bent knees.

(on Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly) I can watch Astaire anytime. I don`t think he ever made a wrong move. He was a perfectionist. He would work on a few bars for hours until it was just the way he wanted it. Gene was the same way. They both wanted perfection, even though they were completely personalities!