Known for movies

Short Info

SpouseLea Vivante
FactHas 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 NameDonald McKayle
ProfessionActor, Theatre Director, Television Director, Dancer, Choreographer
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseLea Vivante

Accomplishments

AwardsOuter Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Choreographer
NominationsTony Award for Best Choreography, Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Has 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

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Private Debts1989Short choreographer
The Jazz Singer1980choreographer - as Don McKayle
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1979TV Special choreographer
Cindy1978TV Movie choreographer
The Richard Pryor Special?1977TV Special choreographer
The 49th Annual Academy Awards1977TV Special choreographer
Minstrel Man1977TV Movie choreographer
Free to Be... You & Me1974TV Movie choreographer
The New Bill Cosby Show1972TV Series choreographer
Bedknobs and Broomsticks1971choreographer
The Great White Hope1970choreographer
Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman1969TV Special choreography
TCB1968TV Movie choreographer
Soul1968TV Movie choreographer
Ten Blocks on the Camino Real1966TV Movie choreographer

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Touched by an Angel2000TV SeriesWilbur
The Cosby Show1985TV SeriesRalph
...And Beautiful1969TV MovieLeader - Dance Troupe
On the Sound1962ShortThe boy

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Good Times1974TV Series 3 episodes

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The New Dance Group Gala Historical Concert: Retrospectives 1930s - 1970s2008VideoHimself
Great Performances: Dance in America2001TV SeriesHimself
The Hollywood Palace1969TV SeriesHimself

Awards

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1977Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Achievement in ChoreographyMinstrel Man (1977)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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