Henry LeTang facts for kids

Henry LeTang (born June 19, 1915 – died April 26, 2007) was an amazing American choreographer and dance teacher. A choreographer is someone who creates and arranges dance routines. Henry LeTang made dances for plays, movies, and TV shows.

About Henry LeTang

Henry LeTang was born in Harlem, a famous neighborhood in Manhattan, New York. His father, Clarence, was from Dominica, and his mother, Marie, came from Saint Croix. They owned a shop that fixed radios and record players.

Henry and his siblings loved music. Henry enjoyed dancing, but he also played the violin. When he was just 17 years old, Henry opened his very first dance studio. It was a small room with a piano.

Teaching Famous Dancers

Over many years, Henry LeTang taught and worked with lots of famous entertainers. Some of these stars included Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Eleanor Powell, Lola Falana, Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Debbie Allen, Savion Glover, and the brothers Maurice and Gregory.

Broadway and Awards

Henry LeTang created dance routines for two Broadway musicals in the 1940s: My Dear Public and Dream with Music. His first official credit as a choreographer was for a show called Shuffle Along in 1952.

Winning Top Awards

Many years later, in 1978, LeTang was nominated for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for his work on Eubie!. This show was a musical tribute to the musician Eubie Blake.

He received another Tony nomination for Sophisticated Ladies in 1981. Finally, in 1989, he won a Tony Award for his work on the musical Black and Blue.

In 2015, Henry LeTang was also honored by being added to the "International Tap Dance Hall of Fame."

Work in Film and TV

Henry LeTang also choreographed dances for movies and television.

Movie and TV Projects

His movie credits include The Cotton Club (1984) and Tap (1989). For television, he choreographed The Garry Moore Show for seven years. He also staged dances for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon many times. His last project was a TV movie called Bojangles in 2001.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1995, the Oklahoma City University Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management gave Henry LeTang a special "Living Treasure in American Dance Award." In 2002, they gave him an Honorary Doctor of Performing Arts degree. This means they recognized his amazing contributions to dance.

In his later years, Henry LeTang lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. He continued to teach special dance classes from his home studio. He also traveled to New York City several times a year to teach more classes.

Henry LeTang passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 91.