Jane Powell was an American actress and singer who was born on April 1, 1929, in Portland, Oregon. She was the youngest of two children born to Paul E. Burce and Eileen Baker Burce. Her father was a traveling salesman, and her mother was a housewife. Powell's parents were both musically inclined, and they encouraged her to pursue a career in music from a young age. Powell began singing and dancing at the age of three, and by the time she was eight years old, she was performing in local talent shows. She was discovered by a talent scout when she was 12 years old, and she was offered a contract with MGM Studios. Powell's parents were hesitant to let her pursue a career in Hollywood, but they eventually agreed, and she moved to California with her mother. Powell made her film debut in 1944 in the musical "Song of the Open Road." She quickly became a popular actress and singer, appearing in a number of successful films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Some of her most notable films include "Royal Wedding" (1951), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954), and "Hit the Deck" (1955). In addition to her film career, Powell was also a successful stage performer. She made her Broadway debut in 1953 in the musical "Three for Tonight," and she went on to star in a number of other Broadway productions, including "The Girl Most Likely" (1956) and "Irene" (1973). Powell was known for her beautiful singing voice, and she recorded a number of albums throughout her career. Some of her most popular recordings include "I Think of You" (1956), "Jane Powell Sings" (1957), and "The Song Is You" (1960). Powell received a number of awards and honors throughout her career. In 1956, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in "The Girl Most Likely." She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Despite her success, Powell's career began to decline in the 1960s. She appeared in a number of low-budget films and television shows, and she struggled to find work as she got older. In the 1980s, she began to focus more on stage work, and she continued to perform in musicals and cabaret shows well into her 70s. Powell was married five times throughout her life. Her first marriage was to actor Geary Steffin, and they were married from 1949 to 1953. She was then married to composer and conductor Patrick Nerney from 1954 to 1963. Her third marriage was to actor and producer David Street from 1965 to 1967. She was then married to businessman James Fitzgerald from 1968 to 1972, and her final marriage was to former child star Dickie Moore from 1988 until his death in 2015. Powell passed away on September 16, 2021, at the age of 92. She is remembered as a talented actress and singer who brought joy to audiences around the world.

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