Actress Jane Powell, known for musicals like Royal Wedding and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, died on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at her home in Wilton, CT of natural causes. She was 92 years old.

An actress from the golden age of film, Powell used her powerful voice and girl next door charm to make a home for herself in musicals during the 1940s and ‘50s.

Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Bruce on April 1, 1929, in Portland, OR. She started dancing when she was 2 years old, was voice acting on the radio show, Stars of Tomorrow, when she was 5, and was singing on the radio when she hit 12. Before reaching high school, she won a talent contest that turned into a seven-year contract with MGM.

Her big screen debut came in 1944’s Song of the Open Road playing a character named Jane Powell, then she adopted it as her stage name. Her roles in the ‘40s included Delightfully Dangerous, Holiday in Mexico, Three Daring Daughters, A Date with Judy, and Luxury Liner.

Her career blossomed in the ‘50s, with her star-making role in Royal Wedding, opposite Fred Astaire. Powell followed that with Rich, Young and Pretty, Small Town Girl, and Three Sailors and a Girl. She closed out the decade with roles in Athena, Deep in My Heart, Hit the Deck, and Enchanted Island, as well as appearances on Goodyear Theatre and Alcoa Theatre.

After the ‘50s, she spent more time in theater, starring in touring companies for The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Brigadoon, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Carousel. In ’73, she debuted on Broadway as the titular character in Irene.

Her onscreen roles in the ‘70s and ‘80s included appearances in The Red Skelton Hour, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and a recurring role on Growing Pains as Irma Seaver Overmier. Her final roles included Picture This, The Sandy Bottom Orchestra, and her last role was in a 2002 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.