Robert Thompson

Robert Lee Thompson (sometimes credited as Bob Thompson; October 9, 1933 – June 13, 1984) was an American dancer and choreographer known for his work in both stage and film productions, particularly in ballet. A member of Jerome Robbins troupe, "Ballets USA", he is known for his association with West Side Story, in which he performed in the 1961 film adaptation and stage revivals, as well as his later contributions as choreographer to projects such as the film Xanadu.

Early life Thompson was born on October 9, 1933, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana the oldest of three sons of Robert Lee Thompson, Sr. His mother was from a long-established French Louisiana family. His father had worked in the Research and Development department for Exxon.

Thompson's family moved to Baytown, Texas, when he was a teenager. At age sixteen, he enrolled in dance classes. While still at high school, he was employed at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios and was featured in a floor show at the Shamrock Hotel. He soon began to take advanced ballet and tap classes in Houston, Texas, and after graduating from Robert E. Lee High School, he received a scholarship from the Houston Youth Ballet Foundation From 1963, he toured Europe for two years with Robbins' group, performing in Anonymous Figure with Music by Teiji Ito in the Festival dei Due Mondi at the Teatrino delle Sette in Spoleto, Italy.

Thompson next appeared in dance roles in movies such as Thoroughly Modern Millie and Doctor Dolittle in 1967, and in February 1955 they had a son, Chadley Blake Up the Sandbox (1972)

Television The Red Skelton Show The Phyllis Diller Show The Dean Martin Show (for two years) The Hollywood Palace (1968)

Choreography

Film Of Thee I Sing (TV Movie, 1972) – Assistant Choreographer Xanadu (1980) – Assistant Choreographer Jinxed! (1982) – Choreographer

Television The Dinah Shore Special: Like Hep (TV Special, 1969) – Assistant Choreographer The Hollywood Palace (TV Series, 1969–1970) – Assistant Choreographer (14 episodes) The ABC Comedy Hour (TV Series, 1972) – Assistant Choreographer (1 episode) Cher (TV Series, 1975) – Associate Choreographer (1 episode) John Denver and Friend (TV Special, 1976) – Assistant Choreographer The Captain & Tennille Special (TV Special, 1976) – Choreographer The Captain and Tennille (TV Series, 1976) – Choreographer (1 episode) The Carpenters at Christmas (TV Special, 1977) – Choreographer The Carpenters...Space Encounters (TV Special, 1978) – Choreographer Laverne & Shirley (TV Series, 1979) – Choreographer (1 episode) The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music (TV Special, 1980) – Choreographer The Osmond Family Christmas Special (1980) – Assistant Choreographer Happy Days (TV Series, 1979–1981) – Choreographer (2 episodes) Hart to Hart (TV Series, 1982) – Choreographer (1 episode)