Tommy Rall, dynamic actor/dancer of many 1950s musicals, was born in 1929 and began his dancing career at age 14 with American Ballet Theater. He appeared on Broadway in "Miss Liberty" (1949) and "Milk and Honey" (1960), as well as in several less successful shows. After a series of great dancing roles on screen ( Kiss Me Kate (1953), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), My Sister Eileen (1955)), he performed in a variety of character roles, and then returned to American Ballet Theater.

Studied tap dancing, acrobatic dance, and ballet from an early age.Made his musical comedy debut in 1948, in Los Angeles and San Francisco.Had a crossed eye as a child and relied on the advice of a doctor who suggested visual exercises. Since Tommy couldn't read very well, his mother decided on dance lessons to correct it, which relies heavily on spotting and focusing.His first MGM movie role was a short subject called "Vendetta" which was about Napoleon.Later worked in the Trust Department in a bank and also took commissions as a painter.Made a cameo in Funny Girl (1968) as Barbra Streisand 's exasperated ballet partner in the "Swan Lake" spoof.Tommy played Lucentio in the musical film Kiss Me Kate (1953) opposite Ann Miller 's Bianca. The Cole Porter song and dance number, From This Moment On, was not in the original Broadway show but was added to the movie to highlight the incredible dancing skills of not only Rall and Miller, but Bobby Van , Bob Fosse , Jeanne Coyne , and Carol Haney . It remains one of MGM's most thrilling dance sequences.