♪ ♪ singing my song >> reporter: singer, dancer, actress, debbie reynolds was a hollywood triple threat and america's sweetheart. her film career began at the age of 16, after being spotted in a beauty pageant. ♪ i'm laughing >> reporter: her star officially launched just a few years later after a spirited performance opposite gene kelly in 1952's "singin' in the rain." >> they put me in "singin' in the rain" and just locked me in a big old studio and for three months i had five different teachers. one for tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and just work, work, work, work. you know, until i just fall apart. >> reporter: other notable roles followed including "tammy and the bachelor" which resulted in her number one hit song "tammy." she played opposite gregory peck in "how the west was won" and her performance in the unsinkable molly brown earned