Paul Haakon

Paul Haakon (September 7, 1911 – August 16, 1992), born Paul Haakon Løngreen Nilson Panduoro, was a Danish ballerina and Broadway dancer.

Paul Haakon
Born
Paul Haakon Løngreen Nilson Panduoro

(1911-09-07)September 7, 1911
DiedAugust 16, 1992(1992-08-16) (aged 80)
Resting placePohick Church
NationalityDanish
OccupationDancer
Years active19331970
Spouse(s)
    Violet Dunne Haakon
    (m. 1955)
    Children3

    Life and career

    Early life

    Haakon was born on September 7, 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 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.[4]

    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.[5]

    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. He is buried in Pohick Church Cemetery in Fairfax County, Virginia.[6] 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

    1. "Paul Haakon". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
    2. Dunning, Jennifer (1992-08-21). "Paul Haakon, 80, Ballet and Broadway Dancer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
    3. "Paul Haakon". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
    4. "Paul Haakon". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
    5. 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.
    6. "Paul Haakon (1911-1992) - Find A Grave Memorial". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
    7. "DEATHS". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
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