Paul Haakon
Paul Haakon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Paul Haakon Løngreen Nilson Panduoro September 7, 1911 |
| Died | August 16, 1992 (aged 80) New York, NY, U.S. |
| Resting place | Pohick Church |
| Nationality | Danish |
| 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[edit]
Early life[edit]
Haakon was born on September 8, 1911, in Fredericia, Denmark.[1] He studied ballet at the Royal Opera House in Copenhagen.[2]
Career[edit]
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[edit]
Haakon died of cancer in New York City on August 16, 1992. He is buried in Pohick Church Cemetery in Fairfax County, Virginia.[7] In an obituary in The Washington Post, Haakon was described as "among the great male ballet dancers of the 20th century".[8]
Filmography[edit]
Broadway[edit]
| 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[edit]
| 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[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Paul Haakon (1911-1992) - Find A Grave Memorial". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ "DEATHS". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
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