FOXXY FRIDAYS - PAULA KELLY

Happy Friday Everyone!

This week for Foxxy Friday in honor of my 20 year high school reunion this weekend I am paying tribute to someone who not only graduated from my high school but was also underrated in the entertainment industry. This Friday I present to you Miss PAULA KELLY!!!

Paula Kelly was born in 1943 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was raised in Harlem, New York where she attended the Fiorello Laguardia High School of Music & Art, majoring in music. She continued her studies at the Juilliard School of Music majoring in dance under Martha Graham. Graduating with an M.S. degree, she performed as a soloist with major modern dance companies such as Martha Graham, Donald MacKayle, and Alvin Ailey.

She also performed as guest artist and assistant choreographer for numerous television musical specials, including "Sammy and Friends" (starring Sammy Davis, Jr.); co-choreographer of the BBC production of "Peter Pan" in which she also performed the role of 'Tiger-Lily'; Quincy Jones' TV tribute to Duke Ellington, "We Love You Madly"; "and The Richard Pryor Show, for which she received an Emmy nomination. Paula also appeared in the films Sweet Charity, The Spook Who Sat By The Door,The Andromeda Strain, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, Drop Squad; and Once Upon A Time. . . When We Were Colored. She is best known from the 1970s movie Uptown Saturday Night (one of my all time favorite movies), playing the character Leggy Peggy, and appeared in the musical "Sophisticated Ladies".

Check out Paula & Hinton Battle:

Kelly has also guest starred in a variety of television movies and sitcoms including Sanford and Son, Golden Girls, Good Times, Any Day Now, and The Women of Brewster Place (based on the novel by Gloria Naylor, in which she portrayed one half of a lesbian couple struggling against homophobia in the inner city. Kelly also had a recurring role on the first season of the sitcom Night Court.

Today Paula is still performing, and still dancing. to find out more about Paula Kelly check out her website: www.paulakelly.net .

BTW, rumor has it Will Smith wants to tackle the remake of Uptown Saturday Night. If it's true I'd love to play Leggy Peggy! ;-)

Have a great weekend!

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