Paula Kelly
Biography
Paula Kelly was an American actress and singer who also danced and choreographed for film, television and theater. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in Harlem, she trained at the Juilliard School and danced as a soloist with companies led by Martha Graham, Donald McKayle and Alvin Ailey. Her stage career began in the mid 1960s with a Broadway debut in the musical Something More!, and she later appeared in Sophisticated Ladies and in a London production of Sweet Charity that brought her a London Variety Award. On screen she was seen in films including The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973), Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986) and Drop Squad (1994). For television she played Liz Williams on the first season of Night Court and earned Emmy nominations for that role and for The Women of Brewster Place.
76years old at death
- Born Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Died Whittier
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
- Also credited as Paula Alma Kelly
Movie Career
- Films
- 6
- Career span
- 23 years1971 to 1994
First and latest
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First role
Kelly began her career in the mid-1960s in theater. Her Broadway debut came as Mrs. Veloz in the 1964 musical Something More!, with Barbara Cook.
Early training
Kelly studied dance at the Juilliard School under Martha Hill, graduating in 1964 with an M.S. degree, and went on to perform as a soloist with the Martha Graham, Donald McKayle and Alvin Ailey companies.
Beyond film
At the 41st Academy Awards, Kelly gave a dance solo. She performed it for the title song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was nominated.
Behind the award
Kelly shared the London stage with dancer and actress Juliet Prowse in Sweet Charity, and her work there earned her the London Variety Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Behind the camera
Kelly appeared as a guest artist and occasionally helped choreograph TV musical specials. These included Sammy and Friends, a BBC Peter Pan where she played Tiger-Lily, and Gene Kelly's New York, New York, where the two Kellys sang a duet.
Paula Kelly movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- The Spook Who Sat by the Door1973 Action, Crime, Drama, Waras Dahomey Queen
IMDb rating 7.22.0K votes
Most often with
Ivan Dixon directed two of these films. Paula Kelly appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Paula Kelly's page
Virginia Capers's page
Lawrence Cook's page
All films by Ivan Dixon
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.