Andre Tayir

Andre Tayir (born Dalton Herman Baker; September 16, 1935 – November 5, 2003) was an American dancer, choreographer, and actor. He is best known for his role as “Chili” in the film West Side Story, his choreographic work on the television series Shindig!, and as co-director and choreographer of The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.

Early life Andre Tayir was born Dalton Herman Baker on September 16, 1935, in Ariton, Alabama. He was raised in Eufaula, Alabama, where he grew up in a large family and was one of multiple siblings.

His father, Obie (O. N.) Baker (1899–1999), served as police chief of Eufaula, while his mother, Evie Garner (born 1901), came from an Alabama farming family. They married in 1920.

From an early age, Tayir demonstrated musical and performance ability. He sang in school and church choirs, directed the choir at Parkview Baptist Church, played piano, and served as drum major and assistant band director during his high school years.

He attended the University of Georgia’s Atlanta Division, majoring in music and drama. Three weeks before graduation, he left for New York City to pursue a professional performing career, a decision he later recalled was difficult for his parents to accept.

His early professional training included three years as a principal dancer and assistant choreographer with the Southern Ballet Company, touring with Columbia Artists, and teaching modern dance for one year at Georgia State College. He married twice in total and later became a single parent, raising three children: Henner (born 1963), Fancy (born 1966), and Honora (born 1970).

Selected works West Side Story (1961) – Chili A Taste of Honey (West Coast premiere) – Male lead Shindig! – Choreographer The Andy Williams Show – Choreographer Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) – Choreographer The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies (1992) – Co-director and choreographer