George Frank Reich (December 15, 1926 – May 4, 2013), known professionally as Georges Reich, was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and director who significantly influenced mid-century French cabaret and introduced American modern jazz dance to Europe during the 1950s and 1960s. He was in a romantic relationship with French actor Jean Marais.
Early life He was born in Patchogue, Long Island, New York, Reich trained with the Ballet Markova Dolin Company and appeared on Broadway in Inside U.S.A. (1948) and Touch and Go (1949).
Career Acting Reich transitioned into cinema in the 1950s. He was offered a seven year contract to stay with MGM Studios. Despite receiving an MGM contract offer following The Glass Slipper (1955), he refused and returned to France.
Dance career in France (1950s–1960s) He moved to Paris in the early 1950s for an engagement at the Lido de Paris, he began an 18-year career in France. In 1955, he formed his own ensemble, Le Ballet HO de George Reich, blending American jazz and Broadway styles into French music hall acts.
He danced at the Moulin Rouge, the Olympia Music Hall, and the Ballet de Paris. 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.
He appeared in French film roles such as School for Love (1955) and Black Tights (1961). He staged productions for major stars including Josephine Baker, Marlene Dietrich, Édith Piaf, Brigitte Bardot, and Line Renaud.
Later career in America In the 1970s, he returned to the U.S. and became a key creative director for Carnival Cruise Line's large-scale stage revues.
Personal life Reich was in a romantic relationship with French actor Jean Marais from 1948 to 1959. 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. Marais, an accomplished artist, used Reich as a frequent subject for his paintings and sculptures.Trambouze, Claude. Jean Marais : Un Homme aux milles. PORTRAIT (in French). Retrieved 11 July 2015.
Death He died in Dallas, Texas, in 2013.
Filmography Television YearTitleRoleNotes1949 Admiral Broadway Revue Frank James Episode: Sing in a New Day1950 The Saturday Night Revue with Jack Carter Dancer S1. Episode: 7
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1955 Daddy Long Legs Specialty Dancer 1955 The Glass Slipper Dancer1955 School for Love Dick Killian1956 Les Lumières Du Soir Steve Crown1956 Cette Sacrée Gamine Dancer Choreographer1956 Bonsoir Paris Le maître de ballets1957 La Garçonne Peer-Rys1959 Julie La Rousse Dancer Choreographer1961 Black Tights Christian de Neuvillette1962 Taras Bulba, the Cossack Ostapi1962 Indiscrétion Dancer Director1970 Cover Me Babe Composer Lyrics
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