Howard Keel rose from a childhood of poverty to become one of Hollywood's greatest musical stars. With the decline of musicals in the late 1950s, he attained success as an actor in dramatic roles. His role in the television series Dallas (1981-1991) brought him additional television and film appearances, sold-out European concerts, and a first-time recording career. This book details his fascinating life and career.

A concise but informative biography recounts Keel's rise to stardom and the many paths his career has taken. The chapters that follow are each devoted to his work in a particular medium, such as film, television, and radio. Within each chapter, entries for individual performances provide cast and credit listings, plot synopses, excerpts from reviews, and insightful commentary. An annotated bibliography points to sources of additional information.