Jane Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Burce in Portland, Oregon. She
began dance lessons at the age of two and appeared on the KGW radio
talent show Stars of Tomorrow at age five.She had attended Beaumont
Grade School and Grant High School in Portland. Powell signed with
Metro-Goldyn-Mayer while still in her teens. She was loaned out to
United Artists where she made her first film in 1944, a musical
comedy titled Song of the Open Road. Powell continues to act
and perform today.