User:Kwib/Robert Thompson

Robert Thompson
Born	Robert Lee Thompson ( 1933 -10-25)October 25, 1933 Louisiana, United States
Died	November 14, 2021(2021-11-14) (aged 84) California, United States
Nationality	American
Known for	Dance and choreography
Movement	Ballet/Modern/contemporary dance

Robert Thompson (sometimes credited as Bob Thompson) (October 9, 1933 – June 13, 1984) was a dancer and choreographer known for his work in both stage and film productions, particularly in ballet. A member of Jerome Robbins troupe, "Ballets USA", he is also known for his association with West Side Story, in which he performed in the 1961 film adaptation and later revivals, as well as his later contributions as choreographer to high profile productions, such as the film Xanadu

Early life

Robert Lee Thompson was born in [[]], Louisiana, on xxx 1933 to Robert Lee Thompson Snr and yyyyyy (née Swiss). His father, Robert worked for xxxx . His father was born yyyyy

Thompson was the oldest of three brothers

Thompson first performed at the age of

in Baytown, Texas, where he operated a dance studio. Early in his career, he trained at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Houston and performed at the Shamrock Hotel.

Career

Following his role as “Luis” in West Side Story (1961), Thompson joined Jerome Robbins’ Ballets U.S.A.. With the company, he performed in The Concert, New York Export: Opus Jazz, and Moves, and starred in Interplay with Chris Mayer and Susan Bourree. In 1963, he toured with Robbins’ group, performing Anonymous Figure with music by Teiji Ito in the Festival dei Due Mondi at the Teatrino delle Sette in Spoleto.

Personal life

Thompson married Joan Patricia Daugherty in 1953.

Robert Thompson passed away on June 13, 1984, in Los Angeles, California

Productions

Theatre

• The Music Man, national road company
• Annie Get Your Gun, revival with Mary Martin

Dance focussed productions

• "Ballets USA", 1958, Thompson was part of the ensemble as a dancer. The show featured a collection of ballet pieces choreographed by Jerome Robbins including:
  • Moves
  • Interplay
  • N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz

'

Film

• West Side Story (1961 film) - Luis, member of the Sharks
• When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965) – Dancer (uncredited)
• Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
• Doctor Dolittle (1967)
• The Happiest Millionaire (1967) – Dancer, Barfly (uncredited)
• Funny Girl (1968)
• Sweet Charity (1969)
• Hello, Dolly! (1969)
• Up The Sandbox (1972)

Television

• The Red Skelton Show
• The Phyllis Diller Show
• The Dean Martin Show (for two years)
• The Hollywood Palace (1968)

Choreography

As a choreographer, Thompson was predominantly credited as Bob Thompson

Film

• Of Thee I Sing (TV Movie, 1972) – Assistant Choreographer
• Xanadu (1980) – Assistant Choreographer
• Jinxed! (1982) – Choreographer

Television

• The Dinah Shore Special: Like Hep (TV Special, 1969) – Assistant Choreographer
• The Hollywood Palace (TV Series, 1969–1970) – Assistant Choreographer (14 episodes)
• The ABC Comedy Hour (TV Series, 1972) – Assistant Choreographer (1 episode)
• Cher (TV Series, 1975) – Associate Choreographer (1 episode)
• John Denver and Friend (TV Special, 1976) – Assistant Choreographer
• The Captain & Tennille Special (TV Special, 1976) – Choreographer
• The Captain and Tennille (TV Series, 1976) – Choreographer (1 episode)
• The Carpenters at Christmas (TV Special, 1977) – Choreographer
• The Carpenters...Space Encounters (TV Special, 1978) – Choreographer
• Laverne & Shirley (TV Series, 1979) – Choreographer (1 episode)
• The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music (TV Special, 1980) – Choreographer
• The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1980) – Assistant Choreographer
• Happy Days (TV Series, 1979–1981) – Choreographer (2 episodes)
• Hart to Hart (TV Series, 1982) – Choreographer (1 episode)