Howard Keel’s Wife: The Women Behind the Hollywood Legend

When people think about the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals, names like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Annie Get Your Gun often come to mind. At the center of those beloved classics stood the tall, deep-voiced actor and singer Howard Keel, whose charisma and booming baritone made him one of MGM’s brightest stars. But while audiences were captivated by his screen presence, many are equally curious about his personal life, especially about Howard Keel’s wife and the women who stood beside him during his remarkable journey. Over the course of his life, Keel was married three times, and each marriage reflected a different chapter in his personal and professional story.

Who Was Howard Keel?

Howard Keel was born Harold Clifford Keel on April 13, 1919, in Gillespie, Illinois. He grew up in challenging circumstances, with a difficult childhood that included poverty and family struggles. Yet from those beginnings, Keel rose to become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men. His voice, rich and commanding, made him a natural fit for musicals, and his good looks made him a favorite on the silver screen.

His breakout role came in 1950 when he starred as Frank Butler opposite Betty Hutton in Annie Get Your Gun. From there, he became a fixture of MGM musicals, starring in Show Boat (1951), Kiss Me Kate (1953), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), among others. Later in his career, Keel transitioned successfully to television, gaining new generations of fans with his role as Clayton Farlow on the primetime soap Dallas in the 1980s.

Despite the glamour of Hollywood, Keel’s life was also marked by personal struggles and transformations. His relationships and marriages were central to his journey, each one shaping his private happiness in unique ways.

Howard Keel’s Marriages

Howard Keel’s life story cannot be told without acknowledging his three marriages. He was married first to Rosemary Cooper, then to Helen Anderson, and finally to Judy Magamoll, who remained with him until his death. Each of these marriages came at a different point in his career and life, offering insight into the man behind the actor.

First Wife – Rosemary Cooper

Howard Keel’s first wife was Rosemary Cooper. They married in 1943, during the early years of his career before he had reached the heights of Hollywood stardom. At that time, Keel was still building his reputation as a performer, working in stage productions and pursuing opportunities that would eventually take him to film.

Their marriage, however, was relatively short-lived. The couple divorced in 1948, a few years before Keel’s breakout roles made him a household name. Although little is widely known about Rosemary Cooper’s later life, her marriage to Keel marked his first step into building a family life alongside his artistic ambitions.

Second Wife – Helen Anderson

Howard Keel’s second wife was Helen Anderson, whom he married in 1949, just a year after his first divorce. Their marriage lasted for over two decades, spanning the peak of Keel’s Hollywood career. During this time, Keel became one of the most prominent musical stars of the 1950s, and Helen was with him through both the triumphs and the challenges of fame.

Together, Howard and Helen had four children: three daughters, Kaija, Kirstine, and Katharine, and one son, Gunnar. This marriage represented the family-building years of Keel’s life. As he continued to star in musicals and later moved into other projects, his role as a husband and father became central to his personal story.

However, despite the long duration of their relationship, Keel and Anderson eventually divorced in 1970. The demands of Hollywood, the strains of family life, and personal differences contributed to the end of their marriage. Still, their time together produced a family that would remain a key part of Keel’s legacy.

Third Wife – Judy Magamoll

Howard Keel’s third marriage was to Judy Magamoll, and it was perhaps the most enduring and transformative of his relationships. The couple married in December 1970, shortly after his divorce from Helen Anderson. At the time, Keel was 51 years old, while Judy was just 25, a significant age difference that drew attention. Yet their bond proved to be genuine and lasting.

Their marriage lasted for more than three decades, until Howard Keel’s death in 2004. Judy was by his side as he transitioned from his Hollywood career to new phases of life, including his unexpected success on the television series Dallas. She provided the support and stability that allowed Keel to continue performing while also enjoying a fulfilling personal life.

Howard and Judy had one daughter together, Leslie Grace Keel, born in 1974. Judy played a crucial role not just as his wife but also as a partner who helped manage his later career and legacy. Their long marriage stands as a testament to their enduring love, despite the challenges of age difference and the complexities of a blended family.

Love and Family as Part of His Legacy

Howard Keel’s life was defined not only by his work in film and television but also by his family. Across his three marriages, he had five children, each of whom has carried forward his legacy in different ways. His relationships with his wives reflected his own growth as a man, from the early years of ambition and career-building, through the challenges of balancing fame with family life, to the stability and fulfillment he found in his later years with Judy.

His children and grandchildren have kept his memory alive, ensuring that the story of Howard Keel is not just about Hollywood stardom but also about family love. Judy, his third wife, was particularly influential in preserving his legacy after his passing, keeping alive the memories of both his artistic contributions and his personal journey.