Biography

Jerome Robbins (1918-98) is world renowned for his work as a choreographer of more than 60 ballets as well as his work as a director and choreographer in theater, movies, and television. His first ballet, Fancy Free (1944) for American Ballet Theatre, remains part of many repertoires. He joined New York City Ballet in 1949, became an associate artistic director with George Balanchine, and created numerous ballets for the company. Besides West Side Story, some of his Broadway shows include On the Town, Billion Dollar Baby, High Button Shoes, The King and I, Gypsy, Peter Pan, Miss Liberty, Call Me Madam, and Fiddler on the Roof. In 1989, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway won six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director. Robbins directed for television and film as well, with his co-direction and choreography of West Side Story winning him two Academy Awards. Robbins’s other awards and citations include five Donaldson Awards, two Emmy Awards, the Screen Directors’ Guild Award, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Robbins was a 1981 Kennedy Center Honors recipient, was awarded the Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, was an honorary member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, and was awarded a National Medal of Arts as well as the Governor’s Arts Awards by the New York State Council on the Arts.