A photograph from 1950 shows what seems to be a happy Hollywood family: dancer Eleanor Powell, actor Glenn Ford, and their only child, Peter Ford.
Eleanor Powell – One of Hollywood’s Greatest Dancers
Eleanor Powell was a hugely successful dancer and movie star. Her films were so popular in the 1930s and 1940s that people joked she helped keep MGM Studios from going bankrupt.
She was admired not only for her talent but also for her kindness and strong sense of fairness.
Peter, her son, later wrote a book about his parents. In it, he described how Fred Astaire once told him that Eleanor was the best dancer ever captured on film.
Standing Up for Equality
Eleanor became friends with the legendary tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Because he was Black, many places had racist rules—Eleanor was allowed to walk in through the front door, but Bill was told to use the back.
Eleanor refused to accept this. She insisted on walking with him through the back door, standing by him as an equal and protesting the discrimination he faced.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1943, Eleanor married actor Glenn Ford. After their son Peter was born, she stepped away from her successful career. She wanted to dedicate her life to being a full-time mother and creating a peaceful home.
Glenn Ford’s Affairs
But Glenn Ford had a reputation in Hollywood for having many affairs. One of the most famous was with actress Rita Hayworth.
Their son Peter later wrote:
“He was a bad boy. He got involved with a lot of the ladies he worked with. That’s not anything that I’m proud of, but that’s the reality.”
These affairs put a great strain on the marriage.
Divorce and Later Years
Eleanor and Glenn divorced in 1959.
Glenn went on to marry three more times.
Eleanor, however, never married again. She chose to live a quieter life, staying focused on her son and her personal values.
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