Georges Reich
American actor and dancer (1926–2013)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Georges Reich (December 15, 1926 – May 4, 2013) was an American-born dancer, choreographer, actor, composer, and director who played a pivotal role in the French cabaret and modern dance scenes of the 1950s and 1960s.[1] He is also widely recognized for his high-profile romantic partnership with the iconic French actor Jean Marais.[2]
15 December 1926
Georges Reich | |
|---|---|
| Born | Georges Frank Reich 15 December 1926 |
| Died | 4 May 2013 (aged 86) |
| Other names | George F. Reich |
| Education | Ballet Markova Dolin Company |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1948–1970 |
| Partner | Jean Marais (1948–1959) |
Early life and education
Reich was born in Patchogue, Long Island, New York.[3] He began his professional dance training in the United States, performing with the Ballet Markova Dolin Company.[4] He launched his career on Broadway, appearing in the musicals Inside U.S.A. (1948) and Touch and Go (1949).[3]
Career
Dance career in France (1950s–1960s)
In the early 1950s, Reich signed a six-month contract to dance at the Lido de Paris, a stay that eventually extended to 18 years in France.[3] In 1955, he founded The Ballet HO de George Reich, the first company to introduce American-style modern dance to the French public.[3]
He was a star at the Moulin Rouge, the Olympia Music Hall, and the Ballet de Paris.[3] Notably, he was the first male principal at the Lido to wear a mirrored G-string, a costume designed for a routine choreographed by Gwen Verdon.[5]
He directed and choreographed shows for legendary performers including Josephine Baker (Paris Mes Amours, 1957), Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Brigitte Bardot, and Line Renaud.[3]
Later career in America
After his tenure in France, Reich moved back to the United States.[3] He became a major influence in the cruise industry, where his choreography and direction became the standard for Carnival Cruise Line production shows for several decades.[6]
Personal life
Reich was the romantic companion of actor Jean Marais from approximately 1948 to 1959.[3] The pair were known for their striking physical resemblance—both were athletic and blonde—and lived together on a péniche (houseboat) named L'Apprenti fakir on the Seine.[3] Marais, an accomplished artist, used Reich as a frequent subject for his paintings and sculptures.[7][8]
Death
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Admiral Broadway Revue | Frank James | Episode: Sing in a New Day |
| 1950 | The Saturday Night Revue with Jack Carter | Dancer | S1. Episode: 7 |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Daddy Long Legs | Specialty Dancer | |
| 1955 | The Glass Slipper | Dancer | [3] |
| 1955 | School for Love | Dick Killian | [10] |
| 1956 | Les Lumières Du Soir | Steve Crown | [11] |
| 1956 | Cette Sacrée Gamine | Dancer | Choreographer |
| 1956 | Bonsoir Paris | Le maître de ballets | [12] |
| 1957 | La Garçonne | Peer-Rys | [13] |
| 1959 | Julie La Rousse | Dancer | Choreographer |
| 1961 | Black Tights | Christian de Neuvillette | [14] |
| 1962 | Taras Bulba, the Cossack | Ostapi | [15] |
| 1962 | Indiscrétion | Dancer | Director[16] |
| 1970 | Cover Me Babe | Composer | Lyrics |
Artistic Impact
As a prominent gay American living in Paris during the mid-20th century, his open relationship with Jean Marais and his presence in artistic circles like Cherry Grove on Fire Island made him a significant figure in early LGBTQ+ history.[3] His physical "unworldly handsome" appearance remains immortalized in the paintings and sculptures of Jean Marais, securing his place in 20th-century French art history.[3][5]
Legacy
Reich's most enduring commercial legacy is in the cruise industry.[5] His choreography and direction became the foundational mainstay for Carnival Cruise Line.[5] Through his company, Le Ballet HO, Reich was the first to introduce American-style modern dance to the French public in the 1950s.[3][5]