GINGER ROGERS... career began in Texas, substituting for one of Eddie Foy's kids in their famous vaudeville act, doing the charleston.  Many charlestons later, New York was conquered as she starred in the Gershwin's GIRL CRAZY.  Hollywood beckoned and after a few less than notable appearances she was noticed in 42nd STREET and GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933.  Very shortly RKO needed to cast the second lead in a film titled FLYING DOWN TO RIO.  Ginger won the role.  Coincidentally, the cast included a dancer named Fred Astaire and incredibly Hollywood's most famous dance team was born.  They made ten films together and were one of  filmdoms biggest boxoffice draws for many years.      Light comedies and musicals had been Ginger Roger's forte and in the 40's she darkened her hair and began to get serious acting roles.  THE PRIMROSE PATH was soon followed by KITTY FOYLE, which got her a Best Actress Oscar.  Many films later when the challenges began to fade she created a nightclub act with The Toppers and toured extensively with many successful stops in Las Vegas.      The 60's may be remembered by her return to the stage.  Successful tours of  THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN  and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN were followed by her return to Broadway, replacing Carol Channing in HELLO, DOLLY for 18 months and another year on tour. Ending her fifth marriage she made her London debut in MAME.       In 1991 she published her autobiography, "Ginger, my Story".  She died in 1995 at the age of 83.