Paul Haakon
Paul Haakon | |
---|---|
Born | Paul Haakon Løngreen Nilson Panduoro September 7, 1911 Fredericia, Denmark |
Died | August 16, 1992 New York City, U.S. | (aged 80)
Resting place | Pohick Church |
Occupation | Dancer |
Years active | 1933–1970 |
Spouse | Violet Dunne Haakon (m. 1955) |
Children | 3 |
Paul Haakon (September 7, 1911 – August 16, 1992), born Paul Haakon Løngreen Nilson Panduoro, was a Danish Ballet and Broadway dancer.
Life and career
Early life
Haakon was born on September 8, 1911, in Fredericia, Denmark.[1] He studied ballet at the Royal Opera House in Copenhagen.[2]
Career
Haakon made his Broadway debut in 1933 in Champagne, Sec and continued to dance in numerous Broadway productions.[3] He also performed in vaudeville acts at Radio City Music Hall alongside lead ballerina Patricia Bowman.[2] In 1935, he briefly joined the American Ballet. During this period, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat noted that he had danced with Pavlova and called him "another Nijinski."[4]
During World War II, Haakon toured with the United Service Organizations.[2] He returned to the stage in the mid-forties, choreographing and dancing for Mexican Hayride and choreographing Spook Scandals.[3] Expanding into television and film, Haakon also appeared on The Milton Berle Show,[1] danced for the 1956 movie Around the World in 80 Days, and was the assistant dance director for the film So This Is Love.[5]
Haakon joined the Jose Greco Spanish Ballet as a performer, eventually also serving as ballet master and production manager.[2] Haakon and Greco developed a close friendship, and Haakon remained with the group until his retirement.[6]
In 1970, Haakon retired from dance. In his later years, he worked as a salesman and a mail handler.[2]
Death
Haakon died of cancer in New York City on August 16, 1992. In an obituary in The Washington Post, Haakon was described as "among the great male ballet dancers of the 20th century".[7]
Filmography
Broadway
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1933 | Champagne, Sec | Himself – Dancer | |
1934 | Music Hath Charms | Venetian Hooligan
Himself – Dancer |
|
1935 | Alma Mater | ||
1935 | At Home Abroad | Himself – Dancer | |
1936 | The Show Is On | Casanova
Himself – Dancer |
|
1937 | Hooray For What! | Himself – Principal Dancer | |
1944 | Mexican Hayride | Paul |
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1929 | Wedding on the Volga | Tosha | |
1956 | Around the World in 80 Days | Flamenco dancer at Cave of the Seven Winds |
References
- ^ a b "Paul Haakon". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b c d e Dunning, Jennifer (1992-08-21). "Paul Haakon, 80, Ballet and Broadway Dancer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b "Paul Haakon". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "An Inning for the Dance". St. Louis Globe-Democrat Sunday Magazine. August 12, 1934. p. 2.
- ^ "Paul Haakon". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ Gruen, John (1988-09-18). "Jose Greco Returns, With His Offspring at His Heels". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "DEATHS". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-10-23.