Who is the greatest dancer? Most critiques and dancers agree it's Fred Astaire. Not a particularly good looking man, but his style, showmanship and perfectionism make Fred a favorite long after his death. Described as bringing effortless grace to every step, Fred started in vaudeville and Broadway with his older sister Adelle who he called "Dellie." She retired from theatrical life at age thirty to marry Lord Charles Cavendish, second son of the Duke of Devonshire, and lived with him in Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland
ELEANOR POWELL
We have established that Fred Astaire is the King of Dance, but is there a "Queen". Called the Queen of Tap Dancing Eleanor Powell, is in one word WOW. This tapper had an athletic style that not many other dancers could match. Starting with her 1935 arrival in Hollywood she started in MGM musicals, establishing herself as the Queen of Tap Dancing. In 1943 she married actor Glenn Ford and retired from dancing in 1955.
MARGE AND GOWER CHAMPION
Married dance partners Marge and Gower Champion made 27 movies between 1939 and 1980. From the movie "Showboat" in 1939 to the 1960 "Bye, Bye, Birdie" their style was diverse and performance solid. In addition to a successful theatre and nightclub act The Champions received countless Dance awards and honors for their dedication to dance and excellence in choreography. Called "a class act", their love of each other and dance seemed to come across in their performances. Gower received Tony awards for Best Choreography
for "Hello Dolly" and "42nd Street".
MARGOT FONTEYN
Receiving the title "Prima Ballerina Assoulta" a rare title only given to a handful of Ballerinas. Margot Fonteyn aka Dame Fonteyn is truly a dance legend. Her career lasted some 40 years., she had eloquence onstage. Dame Fonteyn's pas deux (partnering) with Rudolph Nureyev has been called "a perfect partnership." If you view this page make sure you listen to some of the music at the bottom of the link. The Cinderella music is one of my favorites.
GREGORY HINES
Helping to bring Tap dancing out of extinction in the 1980s and making Tap a current popular dance form- tapper Gregory Hines (former student of Frank Mosier's from the Quintano Young Professional School) started tapping with his oldest brother Maurice and later joined by their Dad. Known as the Hines Kids, Maurice and Gregory started performing at the Apollo Theatre and witnessed the performances and advice of Tap legends: Honi Coles, Sandman Sims, The Great Nicholas Brothers. Recieving 3 Tony nominations for "Eubie", "Comin Uptown", "Sophisticated Ladies" and finally winning the 1992 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of jazz man "Jelly Roll" Morton in the Broadway production of "Jelly's Last Jam"
BOB FOSSE
Choreographer/dancer- As a Choreographer Bob Fosse changed the course of Broadway musicals with his distinct lively slinky, sexy style of dancing. In 1973 Fosse directed and choreographed the movie "Caberet" which one the Academy Award for Best Direction. Other works concieved and choreographed by Bob Fosse were: : Chicago, Dancin, Sweet Charity, Pajama Game, Pippin, Damm Yankees and more. Married to the great Broadway dancer and star of Damm Yankees and Sweet Charity Ms. Gwen Verdon. Fosse helped shaped the careers of many dancers including Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen and his daughter Nicole Fosse.
NICHOLAS BROTHERS
Nicholas Brothers, Harold and Fayard, whose career span over six decades, made up one of the most beloved dance teams in the history of dance. Legends in their own time, they are best known for their unforgetable appearances in more than 30 Hollywood musicals. Mixing a unique style and choreographic brillance of Tap, Jazz, Ballet and acrobatic moves. The Nicholas Brothers are receipants of various performance lifetime awards and choreographic awards inluding the Kennedy Center Honors in 1991. In 2000 they received a special Oscar for excellence in musicals. Today there has never been a partnership that can come close to the style of the legendary Nicholas Brothers. Fayard's grand daughters Nichole and Cathy perform as "The Nicholas Sisters".
This is just a small sample of famous dancer who have contributed to The Wonderful World of Dance. Please check out these two additional websites which lists more famous dancers with links to their biographies.
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