DOUBLE Golden Globe-winning star Taina Elg has died aged 95.
The actress and dancer, who starred alongside Gene Kelly in the 1957 musical Les Girls, sadly passed away on May 15.
Her family confirmed she died in an assisted care facility in Helsinki, as reported by the Helsinki Times.
The iconic Finland-born star also appeared opposite Kenneth More in the 1959 remake of spy film The 39 Steps.
On Broadway, Taina earned a Tony nomination for best featured actress in a musical for her work alongside Raul Julia in the 1974 to 75 revival of Frank Loesser’s Where’s Charley?
She was nominated again for the same award after her role in the 1982 to 84 original production of Tommy Tune’s Nine.
Taina became a Hollywood star after portraying the part of cabaret dancer Angèle Ducros in MGM’s Les Girls.
The production also starred fellow legends Mitzi Gaynor and Kay Kendall.
She and Kendall would go on to share the Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy for their performances.
Taina also won a Golden Globe or best female foreign newcomer for her performance in Gaby, starring Leslie Caron.
Taina was born in Helsinki on March 9, 1930, and took a shine to the industry from an early age.
She appeared in her first film at just 10-years-old, and danced with the Finnish National Ballet in Helsinki.
The star went on to study ballet in Sweden, Stockholm, Gothenburg and in London with the Royal Ballet.
American film producer Edwin H. Knopf scouted her in London and she signed a seven-year contract with MGM.
Her last film with the company was Watusi in 1959, which starred George Montgomery.
Other credits include The Prodigal, Diane, Imitation General, The Bacchantes, Hercules in New York, Liebestraum, Barbra Streisand’s The Mirror Has Two Faces and One Life to Live.
She also feature in several soap operas including The Doctors, Guiding Light, The Edge of Night and Loving.
Taina gradually moved away from film and back to the stage in the later years of her career.
In the 60s and 70s she appeared in touring shows such as Irma La Douce and Look to the Lillies.
Later, she toured with Gigi in the 1980s and with Titanic from 1999 to 2000.
Taina leaves behind her son, jazz guitarist Raoul Björkenheim.
The Golden Globe actress was married to her first husband Carl “Poku” Björkenheim from 1953 until their divorce in 1958.
Source :https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/14337358/taina-elg-dead-golden-globe-actress-gene-kelly/
