Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) as Miscellaneous Crew
The Jazz Singer (1980) as Miscellaneous Crew
The Great White Hope (1970) as Miscellaneous Crew
Free to Be... You & Me (1974) as Miscellaneous Crew
Short Info
Spouse
Lea Vivante
Fact
Has been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award five times: four times as Best Choreographer: in 1965 for "Golden Boy," in 1974 for "Raisin," in 1975 for "Doctor Jazz" and in 1981, shared with 'Henry le Tan' and Michael Smuin, for "Sophisticated Ladies;" and as Best Director (Musical) in 1974 for "Raisin." He has yet to win.
Donald McKayle is an American dancer, choreographer, and director. He was born in New York City on January 6, 1930, to parents who were both from the Caribbean. His father was from Trinidad and his mother from Jamaica. He has two sisters. McKayle was educated at the High School of Music & Art and the Juilliard School. He began his career as a dancer with the New York City Ballet in 1950.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCEFOjvzt2E
He choreographed his first ballet, “The Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder,” in 1959. It was set to music by Duke Ellington and featured McKayle himself as the lead dancer. McKayle has choreographed more than 50 works for stage and screen. He has received two Tony Award nominations, for his choreography for the musicals “The Wiz” (1975) and “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981). He has also been nominated for three Emmy Awards, winning once for his work on the television special “Free to Be.
. . You and Me” (1974). McKayle’s work is known for its focus on the African-American experience. He has said that he wants his work to be “a mirror in which people can see themselves.
” McKayle has been married twice. His first wife was the dancer Joan Millen. They had two children together before divorcing in 1971. His second wife is the dancer Marjorie Tallchief. They have one child together.
McKayle is currently retired and living in California.
General Info
Full Name
Donald McKayle
Profession
Actor, Theatre Director, Television Director, Dancer, Choreographer
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Lea Vivante
Accomplishments
Awards
Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Choreographer
Nominations
Tony Award for Best Choreography, Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
Has been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award five times: four times as Best Choreographer: in 1965 for "Golden Boy," in 1974 for "Raisin," in 1975 for "Doctor Jazz" and in 1981, shared with 'Henry le Tan' and Michael Smuin, for "Sophisticated Ladies;" and as Best Director (Musical) in 1974 for "Raisin." He has yet to win.
Movies
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Private Debts
1989
Short choreographer
The Jazz Singer
1980
choreographer - as Don McKayle
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1979
TV Special choreographer
Cindy
1978
TV Movie choreographer
The Richard Pryor Special?
1977
TV Special choreographer
The 49th Annual Academy Awards
1977
TV Special choreographer
Minstrel Man
1977
TV Movie choreographer
Free to Be... You & Me
1974
TV Movie choreographer
The New Bill Cosby Show
1972
TV Series choreographer
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
1971
choreographer
The Great White Hope
1970
choreographer
Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman
1969
TV Special choreography
TCB
1968
TV Movie choreographer
Soul
1968
TV Movie choreographer
Ten Blocks on the Camino Real
1966
TV Movie choreographer
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Touched by an Angel
2000
TV Series
Wilbur
The Cosby Show
1985
TV Series
Ralph
...And Beautiful
1969
TV Movie
Leader - Dance Troupe
On the Sound
1962
Short
The boy
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Good Times
1974
TV Series 3 episodes
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The New Dance Group Gala Historical Concert: Retrospectives 1930s - 1970s