POSTED: 4:26 pm EST November 7, 2004
UPDATED: 4:41 pm EST November 7, 2004
LOS ANGELES -- Musical film star Howard Keel has died from colon cancer at his home in Palm Desert, Calif.
He was 85.
The broad-shouldered baritone starred in such glittering MGM musicals as "Kiss Me Kate" and "Annie Get Your Gun." He later revived his career in the role of Clayton Farlow on TV soap sensation "Dallas."
Keel's size and lusty voice made him an ideal leading man for such stars as Esther Williams, Kathryn Grayson and Doris Day. Keel's own favorite film was the exuberant "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
At 66, he was cast in "Dallas." Keel said in 1995 that the show changed his life. He said he was suddenly a star, known to more people than ever before.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press.
