The main cast of “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) was Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood, Donald O’Connor as Cosmo Brown, Debbie Reynolds as Kathy Selden and Jean Hagen as Lina Lamont, with Millard Mitchell as studio boss R.F. Simpson and Cyd Charisse in the “Broadway Melody” dance number. Gene Kelly co-directed the MGM musical with Stanley Donen, and it is often called the greatest movie musical ever made.
In this article
Singin’ in the Rain Cast List
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Gene Kelly | Don Lockwood | Silent-film star making the jump to talkies |
| Donald O’Connor | Cosmo Brown | Don’s best friend and musical partner |
| Debbie Reynolds | Kathy Selden | Aspiring actress and Don’s love interest |
| Jean Hagen | Lina Lamont | Don’s glamorous co-star with a shrill voice |
| Millard Mitchell | R.F. Simpson | Head of Monumental Pictures |
| Cyd Charisse | Dancer | The femme fatale in the “Broadway Melody” ballet |
| Douglas Fowley | Roscoe Dexter | The frazzled film director |
| Rita Moreno | Zelda Zanders | Lina’s actress friend |
| King Donovan | Rod | Studio publicity man |
The Stars Behind the Roles
Gene Kelly (Don Lockwood)
Kelly starred, choreographed and co-directed. His title-song dance, splashing through puddles under a streetlight, is one of the most famous scenes in film history. He had already starred in “An American in Paris” (1951), which won the Oscar for Best Picture. Kelly died in 1996.
Donald O’Connor (Cosmo Brown)
O’Connor’s comic solo “Make ‘Em Laugh,” full of pratfalls and a run up the wall, is a highlight of the film. He won a Golden Globe for the role and died in 2003.
Debbie Reynolds (Kathy Selden)
Reynolds was just 19 and had little dance training when she was cast, and she rehearsed intensively to keep up with Kelly and O’Connor in “Good Morning.” She went on to a long career and was the mother of actress Carrie Fisher. Reynolds died in December 2016.
Jean Hagen (Lina Lamont)
Hagen earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her comic turn as the vain star whose voice does not suit the new talking pictures. She died in 1977.
Cyd Charisse
Charisse appears without dialogue in the dream-like “Broadway Melody” ballet, famous for her long green dress and veil sequence. She later starred in “The Band Wagon” (1953). She died in 2008.
Rita Moreno (Zelda Zanders)
A young Rita Moreno has a small part as Zelda. She later won an Oscar for “West Side Story” (1961) and became one of the few performers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
Behind the Camera
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Directors | Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen |
| Screenplay | Betty Comden and Adolph Green |
| Producer | Arthur Freed |
| Songs | Mostly by Arthur Freed (lyrics) and Nacio Herb Brown (music) |
| Studio | MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) |
| Released | 1952 |
What Is the Movie About?
Set in Hollywood in 1927, the film follows silent-movie star Don Lockwood as the studio rushes to make its first “talkie” after “The Jazz Singer” becomes a hit. The problem: his co-star Lina Lamont’s voice is a disaster. Don, Cosmo and Kathy secretly turn the film into a musical, with Kathy dubbing Lina’s voice.
Famous Songs and Numbers
- “Singin’ in the Rain” (Gene Kelly’s solo in the rain)
- “Make ‘Em Laugh” (Donald O’Connor)
- “Good Morning” (Kelly, O’Connor and Reynolds)
- “Moses Supposes” (Kelly and O’Connor)
- “You Were Meant for Me”
- “Broadway Melody Ballet” (Kelly and Charisse)
Fun Facts
- Many songs came from earlier MGM musicals written by Freed and Brown in the late 1920s and 1930s.
- The film was not a major Oscar winner on release but has since topped lists of the greatest musicals, including the American Film Institute’s list of greatest movie musicals.
- The film was adapted into a stage musical in the 1980s, first in London’s West End.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main actors in Singin’ in the Rain?
Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen.
Is anyone from the Singin’ in the Rain cast still alive?
Rita Moreno, who played Zelda Zanders, is one of the best-known surviving cast members. The four main stars have died.
How old was Debbie Reynolds in Singin’ in the Rain?
She was 19 when the film was made.
The Bottom Line
Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen made “Singin’ in the Rain” a timeless classic, with Cyd Charisse and a young Rita Moreno adding to the magic. Watch it again and look for each star’s signature number. For more classic movie guides, visit The Urban Splatter.
