Howard Keel

Howard Keel – Life, Career, and Memorable Lines

Learn about Howard Keel (1919–2004): from bargeman in Illinois to MGM musical star, then TV patriarch on Dallas. Discover his biography, career highlights, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Howard Keel (born Harold Clifford Keel on April 13, 1919 – died November 7, 2004) was an American actor and singer best known for his powerful bass-baritone voice and for starring in classic Hollywood musicals of the 1950s.

His career spanned decades, from Broadway and MGM musicals to television roles later in life. In Dallas, as oil baron Clayton Farlow, he introduced himself to new generations—while his recordings and films continue to be celebrated among fans of the “Golden Age” musical era.

Below we explore his life, key works, influence, and some of his memorable sayings.

Early Life and Family

Howard Keel was born in Gillespie, Illinois, the younger of two sons of Homer Keel (a former Navy man–turned coal miner) and Grace Margaret (née Osterkamp).

When his father died in 1930, young Howard and his mother relocated to California.

Before entering show business, Keel held a variety of jobs—he worked odd jobs, was a traveling representative, and even drove trucks.

Youth, Training & Early Beginnings

Keel’s path toward performance began when a landlady overheard him singing and encouraged him to take voice lessons.

His early theatrical involvement would lead toward Broadway and then to Hollywood musicals.

Career and Achievements

Stage to MGM Musicals

Keel’s first major stage successes included Oklahoma! and Carousel, roles which showcased both his singing and his strong stage presence.

His breakout in film musicals came with MGM, where he starred in musicals such as Annie Get Your Gun (1950), Show Boat (1951), Kiss Me, Kate, Rose Marie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Calamity Jane, and others.

Notably:

• In Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), Keel played Adam Pontipee—one of his signature screen roles.

• He often co-starred with Kathryn Grayson, Jane Powell, Ann Miller, and other musical icons.

During the height of the studio musical era, Keel’s combination of vocal strength, presence, and masculine charm made him a natural fit for romantic leads.

Later Shifts & Television

As the popularity of big musicals declined, Keel returned more to stage work, concert appearances, tours, and nightclub performances.

A significant career resurgence came through television. In 1981, Keel joined the cast of Dallas as Clayton Farlow, an oil baron figure who became a fixture of the show until its conclusion in 1991.

The role introduced him to audiences who may not have known his film musicals, reviving his visibility and prompting renewed interest in his recordings and concerts.

During this later phase, he released solo albums (starting in his 60s), toured the UK, and leveraged his television fame to revisit his musical roots.

Honors & Legacy

Some of Keel’s recognitions and enduring marks include:

• He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, placed on February 8, 1960.

• His films, especially Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, remain part of classic musical film collections and have earned preservation recognition.

• His longevity and ability to span stage, film, and television mark him as a rare “bridge” performer across eras.

Historical & Cultural Context

Keel’s career reflects a transitional era in American entertainment:

• He emerged in the golden age of studio musicals, when Broadway talent was recruited by Hollywood studios.

• As musical films waned in popularity in the late 1950s and 1960s, many performers found fewer opportunities; Keel’s pivot back to stage and later to television mirrors the shift in the entertainment industry.

• His later success on Dallas exemplifies how a performer from the classic film era could reintroduce himself to new media and audiences.

• His sustained vocal performances and concerts kept alive the appreciation for mid-century musical songwriting, even as popular tastes evolved.

Personality and Talents

Howard Keel was frequently described as possessing an appealing combination: vocal power matched with warmth and an affable presence.

He was also resilient—working through changing industry tides, shifting from musical leads to television, and embracing concert life amid uneven opportunities.

Colleagues often praised his professionalism, generosity, and ability to carry a production’s musical demands with confidence and dependability.

In interviews, Keel acknowledged his limitations, embraced humility, and expressed gratitude that he was able to use his gift.

Selected Quotes by Howard Keel

Below are several memorable lines attributed to Howard Keel, reflecting his views on music, life, success, and performance:

“As long as I can sing halfway decent, I’d rather sing than act. There’s nothing like being in good voice, feeling good, having good numbers to do and having a fine orchestra.”

“When I found out that I could carry a tune, well, I came to realize that I had a gift, that it was a kind of a blessing. And I think if you’re given something special, you ought to try and give that something back. If you don’t, it’s a sin. No question.”

“The only way to enjoy golf is to be a masochist. Go out and beat yourself to death.”

“It was a fine cast and lots of fun to make, but they did the damn thing on the cheap. The backdrops had holes in them, and it was shot on the worst film stock.”

“Wherever I went, crowds appeared again, and I started making solo albums for the first time in my career.”

“I got a job as an auto mechanic, and I would have stayed in that narrow kind of life if I hadn’t discovered art. Music changed me completely.”

These quotes offer glimpses of his devotion to singing, realistic perspective on show business, and recognition of how music transformed his life.

Lessons from Howard Keel

1. Follow and cultivate your gift
   Keel’s recognition of his vocal talent led him to pursue training and opportunities rather than burying it.

2. Adapt with changing times
   When film musicals waned, Keel didn’t abandon performance—he shifted to the stage, concerts, and television.

3. Humility anchors longevity
   Despite fame and success, he acknowledged limits, credited hard work, and stayed grounded.

4. Value the audience connection
   His quotes and career show that performing isn’t just technique—but joy in voice, orchestra, and the reaction of listeners.

5. Persistence yields new phases
   Even decades after his peak musical films, Keel re-emerged in Dallas and later in recording and touring, proving that creative life can have many chapters.

Conclusion

Howard Keel’s journey—from Illinois roots to MGM musical stardom, and later to television recognition—exemplifies a multi-phase artistic life. His rich baritone and generous presence made him a distinctive figure in American musical cinema. His later return to popular culture through Dallas showed resilience and reinvention.

His legacy lives in classic musicals, recordings, and the memory of audiences who still hear his voice when they watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Show Boat, or Dallas. And his own words remind us: use your gifts, adapt when necessary, and let your voice speak as long as it can.