11 of the Most Phenomenal Dancers That Ever Lived!

4) Josephine Baker

Refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the United States, Josephine Baker performed her songs and modern popular dance routines for French audiences, earning roles in many films and becoming the first woman of color to star in a film. Born to vaudeville performers, Baker was used to performing on stage from a very young age. She turned to dancing on street corners in St. Louis for change when times were tough and ran away to join a vaudeville show when she was just fifteen-years-old. Baker’s success in French nightclubs led her to become a French citizen. After helping the French Resistance during WWII, Baker again performed in clubs all around the world, but never quite gained a huge following in U.S. due to her controversial politics. We think she’s just fantastic, though, in this clip from the silent film, Siren of the Tropics (1927). Have a look at her fun moves below!

3) Buddy Ebsen

Younger folks know him as Jeb from The Beverly Hillbillies, but we know him as the comedic dancer with heaps of talent from the movies. Hits like Born To Dance, Wizard of Oz, and, Captain January place him among our most favorite dancers. No one would ever accuse Ebsen of being anything like Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire. Yet, as you may know, it takes a lot of skill to make a dance look bad in perfect time to the music. We just love his floppy shoulders and the way he gets into his characters. In this wonderful clip you’ll also catch a glimpse of a young (and gangly) Jimmy Stewart dancing alongside Ebsen. Have a gander below.

2) Judy Garland

Despite a career cut short, Judy Garland’s performances spanned forty years! Her early vaudeville show with her sisters cashed in on her tiny size and adorable demeanor. Billed “The Gumm Sisters” they toured and eventually changed their billing to “The Garland Sisters.” Garland was signed to a film contract at the tender age of only thirteen! Though she is most often known for her singing, Garland also cuts a mean rug! You can watch Gene Kelly and Judy Garland together in this phenomenal clip from For Me and My Gal (1942) of the song and dance called “Ballin’ the Jack.”

1) Gene Kelly

Not only a dancer, but an amazing choreographer, Gene Kelly wowed audiences on the stage and on screen. Kelly’s powerful movements and quick feet made him a Hollywood hit after his first film, For Me and My Gal with Judy Garland in 1942. Acting well into the 1980s, Kelly changed the way we thought about dancing on film and made Paris an even more illustrious fantasy travel spot with the climax dance sequence of An American in Paris in 1951. Kelly followed that success with the forever-iconic film Singin’ in the Rain in 1952, and you can see the famous umbrella dance from the film below. Not bad for a kid who began composing dance routines in order to help feed his family as a kid during the Great Depression!

There is no doubt that these amazing performers changed how we danced and what we thought a good performance could be. Blending popular and classical dance with innovations like tap and jazz, these dancers made gliding across the floor look as easy as breathing. Most of these talented pros could also sing, act, do comedy, choreograph, and any number of other talents. They really broke the mold with these stars! Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments who your favorites are!

Still wanna dance? Check out more of your favorite stars in this cool mash-up»