Ann Miller: Tap-Dancing MGM Star of On the Town Dies at 80

Ann Miller was an American dancer and actress known for fast, powerful tap dancing. Born Johnnie Lucille Collier on April 12, 1923, in Houston, Texas, she began dancing as a child and was in films by her mid-teens.

Miller appeared in You Can't Take It with You and Room Service (both 1938) and became a star of MGM musicals, including Easter Parade (1948), On the Town (1949) and Kiss Me Kate (1953). She later took over the lead in Broadway's Mame and earned a Tony nomination for Sugar Babies with Mickey Rooney.

Miller was married three times. Her last film role was in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001). She died of lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on January 22, 2004, at age 80.

Achievements: MGM musical star, Tony nomination for Sugar Babies, Broadway lead in Mame.

Birth: April 12, 1923 - Houston, Texas.

Profession: Dancer and actress.

Interesting Facts: She claimed to have invented pantyhose to avoid torn stockings during dance numbers.