Kathryn Grayson was born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick in Winston-Salem, N.C. on February 9, 1922. This pretty, petite, brunette with a heart-shaped face, was discovered by MGM talent scouts while singing on the radio. MGM quickly signed her to a contract, and was given acting lessons along with taking countless publicity photos. Kathryn, a coloratura soprano, made her first film in 1941, the movie was a B picture named Andy Hardy's Private Secretary. She soon was cast opposite some of MGM's top musical stars of the 40's, such as, Gene Kelly and Mario Lanza. She was paired with Lanza a few times, but the two never got along, mainly due to Lanza's hot temper and alcohol abuse. The pairing of Lanza and Grayson would never match the success of lyrical soprano Jeanette MacDonald and baritone, Nelson Eddy. Although, Kathryn and Jeanette MacDonald did become great friends. Jeanette became a mentor and an older sister figure for Kathryn. Kathryn's most memorable roles came in the early 1950's. They were, 'Show Boat' (1951) where she played Magnolia, opposite Ava Gardner and Howard Keeland in 'Kiss Me Kate' (1953) playing actress Katherine. In 1956, she left MGM and made a few pictures for Paramount, but soon left the movie industry. She later worked in nightclubs and on stage.



On contract to MGM for 13 years Daughter, Patricia Kathryn, born October 7, 1948. In Italy, most of her films were dubbed by Renata Marini. She was occasionally dubbed by Dhia Cristiani, Lidia Simoneschi and Micaela Giustiniani. The third child of Charles and Lillian Hedrick, Kathryn was born in North Carolina but grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri, where her family moved in 1927. The entire family sung. Moved to California with her family when she was 15. In 1939, Sam Katz, the executive in charge of musicals at MGM, sought out a rival to Universal's popular Deanna Durbin and turned to Kathryn. She repeatedly turned him down at the time because she wanted an opera and not a movie career. She finally relented. The name "Kathryn Grayson" came from her middle name and her mother's maiden name. In 1968 she rejoined her Kiss Me Kate (1953) singing co-star, Howard Keel for several highly successful night club appearances in Las Vegas. Was offered the title role in the movie Mother (1996/II) but turned it down saying she couldn't possibly do the part because the woman is "brain dead". Fellow MGM alumnus Debbie Reynolds eventually played the part to wonderful reviews.