Jerome Robbins

Choreographer

b. October 11, 1918
d. July 29, 1998

Jerome Robbins was a renowned choreographer and director. He won four Tonys, two Oscars and an Emmy.

Born Jerome Rabinowitz, Robbins grew up in Weehawken, New Jersey. In 1937, he enrolled at New York University, but dropped out of college and began studying dance professionally.

By 1939, Robbins was dancing in Broadway productions, notably “Great Lady” and “Keep off the Grass.” His career as a choreographer began in the Poconos, where he earned a reputation as an innovative perfectionist.

In 1944, Robbins created his first major dance composition, “Fancy Free,” a ballet that also marked his first collaboration with composer Leonard Bernstein. Its success brought recognition to both men and inspired their first full-length Broadway musical, “On the Town.”

In 1953, Robbins was accused of being a Communist by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Fearing he would be outed as bisexual, he revealed the names of several colleagues. 

His Broadway shows include “High Button Shoes,” “West Side Story,” “The King and I,” “Gypsy” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” among others. His 60 ballets include “A Suite of Dances,” created for Mikhail Baryshnikov, and “West Side Story Suite.”

From the 1970’s on, Robbins focused primarily on ballet, returning to musical theater only occasionally. His last Broadway production, “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway,” won six Tony Awards, including best musical and best director. 

Robbins won two Academy Awards for the film version of “West Side Story.” He was also a 1981 Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

Robbins’s final work, “Brandenburg,” was created for the New York City Ballet.