Singin’ in the Rain star O’Connor dies aged 78

ENTERTAINER Donald O’Connor, who combined comedy and acrobatics in the show-stopping Make ’Em Laugh number in the classic movie Singin’ in the Rain, died on Saturday, his daughter said. He was 78.

Mr O'Connor, who had been in declining health in recent years, died of heart failure at a retirement home in Calabasas, his daughter, Alicia O'Connor said.

In a brief statement, the family said that among Mr O'Connor's last words was the following quip: "I'd like to thank the Academy for my lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get." Mr O'Connor won an Emmy, but never an Oscar. He was best known for films he made in the 1950s a series of highly successful Francis the Talking Mule comedies and movie musicals that put his song and dance talents to good use.