He was the 'Errol Flynn after Davis' untimely death. As Clayton Farlow, Miss Ellie's second husband, he enjoyed a decade of steady work. In later years he continued to appear in concerts. As a result of this renewed fame on TV, Keel landed his first solo recording contract with "And I Love You So" in 1983. Married three times, he died in 2004 of colon cancer, survived by his third wife, three daughters and one son.
From 1971-1992 he was the father-in-law of actor Edward James Olmos through Olmos marriage to Keels daughter Kaija Keel.
Worked as a representative for the Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Southern California before embarking on his singing and acting career
(1958-1959) President of Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
During the shooting of Annie Get Your Gun , he broke his leg when his horse fell on him. He was laid up for six weeks.
Portrayed Curly in the original London cast of "Oklahoma", Fred Graham in "Kiss Me Kate" , and Hajj in "Kismet". Baritone Alfred Drake originated all three roles on Broadway.
Children with Helen: Kaija Keel (born January 14, 1950), Kirstine Keel (born June 21, 1952) and Gunnar Keel (born June 3, 1955).
Esther Williams gave his daughter, Kaija Keel , swimming lessons.
Daughter with third wife, Judy Keel : Leslie Keel , was born September 1, 1974.
Grandfather of Mico Olmos and Bodie Olmos.
Has some Irish heritage. A lot of his distant family reside in Ireland.
The producers of Kiss Me Kate 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.
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.
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.
In the 1950s, while he was at MGM, a mistake in the publicity department started the rumor that Howards 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.
Due to his huge size, many of his petite leading ladies had to stand on boxes to be in the same frame.
Was the original choice to play the lead in Singin in the Rain (1952) . The part went to Gene Kelly instead.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 294-296. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
Producers approached Howard Keel for the role of "Jock Ewing" on "Dallas" after Jim Davis s death but, out of respect for Davis, Keel turned them down and remained in the role of "Clayton Farlow".
Before he was a successful actor, he also worked as a singing busboy.
His hobbies included: singing, dancing, watching movies, listening to opera, fishing, golfing, spending time with his family.
Was cremated and his ashes scattered at various favorite places including Mere Golf Club, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and in Tuscany, Italy.
Survived by ten grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
Remained good friends with Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy during and after "Dallas" .
Began his career as a contract player at MGM in 1950.
Was best/good friends with: Ann Miller , Esther Williams , Cyd Charisse , Jack Elam , Keenan Wynn and George Sidney.
After his fathers death, he and his mother moved to San Diego, California, in 1930.
Had grown up in a strict Christian environment.
Met Judy Keel on a blind date, who never even heard of him. Judy was 26, Howard was 51.
Best known for his role as Clayton Farlow on "Dallas" .
He was a staunch conservative Republican.
Was sought for the role of Emile in South Pacific but couldnt get out of his contract to do the picture.
[about filming dinner scenes on "Dallas" (1978) ] The continuity,girl goes crazy. The poor dear, my gosh! Because you take a bite, you,gotta remember when you took the bite, what words, that sort of thing.
It shows how you can come back from heart surgery.
Once somebody said to me, "How can you stand to work in a tent?" Well,people are people wherever you go, and a performance is a performance.
The only way to enjoy golf is to be a masochist. Go out and beat,yourself to death.
[about his work on "Dallas" (1978) ][ I started out a long time,ago, and now the younger generation knows who I am. My daughter is a,part of that younger generation, and I owe it to her not to act like an,old man.
[about his job on "Dallas" (1978) ] When I was offered the role of,Farlow, I was thrilled. It meant I could be home every night with my,family.
It was a fine cast and lots of fun to make, but they did the damn thing,on the cheap. The backdrops had holes in them and it was shot on the,worst film stock. - On Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).
