Nigel Lythgoe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nigel Lythgoe
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Lythgoe in 2010
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| Born | 9 July 1949 |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1969–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Bonnie Shawe
(m. 1974; div. 2010) |
| Children | Simon & Kris |
Nigel Lythgoe is a famous English television and film director and producer. He is also a judge on TV dance shows and a talented choreographer. Before all that, he was a dancer himself!
Nigel is well-known for producing popular shows like Pop Idol and American Idol. He also created and was an executive producer for So You Think You Can Dance. He was a judge on that show for many years.
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Early Life and Dance
Nigel Lythgoe was born in Wallasey, Cheshire, England, on July 9, 1949. His father worked at the docks. Nigel became interested in dance when he was ten years old. He started learning to tap dance.
He went to dance schools in Wallasey, where he learned many styles. These included classical ballet, modern jazz, ballroom dancing, and traditional dances from different countries. His first professional dance job was with the English National Ballet. He was part of the corps de ballet, which means he danced in the main group for their show The Merry Widow.
In 1969, Nigel joined a BBC dance group called The Young Generation. By 1971, he became their choreographer. A choreographer is someone who creates dance routines. He has created dances for over 500 television shows!
A Career in Television
Early in his career, Nigel learned how to film dance using special techniques like multiple cameras. This skill was very helpful for his future in television.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Nigel danced with famous performers like Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. He also created dances for stars such as Shirley Bassey and even the Muppets! Nigel once said he was the only person to dance, choreograph, produce, and direct the Royal Variety Performance.
After working in TV for a while, Nigel became the Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television by 1995. In this role, he helped create and produce shows like Gladiators and Blind Date.
In 2000, Nigel became a judge on the show Popstars. He was known as a "tough judge" and was even nicknamed "Nasty Nigel" by some newspapers. He then helped produce and direct the British version of Survivor.
Nigel later joined Simon Fuller's company, 19 Entertainment. There, he helped create and produce Pop Idol. This show became a huge success and led to the creation of American Idol. In 2002, he moved to the U.S. to produce American Idol.
He then became a producer, judge, and co-creator of So You Think You Can Dance on the FOX network. In 2007, Nigel helped start BritWeek. This is an annual event in Los Angeles that celebrates the connections between the UK and California.
In 2009, Nigel and Simon Fuller started a new company together. Their first project was Superstars of Dance for NBC. Nigel also became a judge on the British version of So You Think You Can Dance. In 2010, he returned to American Idol as an executive producer for its tenth season.
Personal Life
Nigel Lythgoe married Bonita Shawe in 1974. They met when he was a choreographer for the Young Generation dance group. Bonita, also known as Bonnie Lythgoe, was a judge on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance and on the Australian version of the show. Nigel and Bonnie divorced in 2010. They have two sons, Simon and Kristopher.
Nigel owns a vineyard called Villa San Juliette in Paso Robles, California. A vineyard is a place where grapes are grown to make wine.
Filmography
Producer (selected credits)
- The Next Great American Band
- So You Think You Can Dance
- All American Girl
- American Juniors
- American Idol
- Pop Idol
- The Brian Conley Show
- Superstars of Dance
- Idol Gives Back
- CMT's Next Superstar
Director
- Superstars of Dance (2009)
- So You Think You Can Dance (2005)
- All American Girl (2003)
- American Idol (2002)
- Survivor (2001)
- Popstars (2000)
- Animals Do the Funniest Things (1999)
- TV Weekly (1988)
- Gladiators (1992)
- The Brian Conley Show
Awards and Honours
- 2015: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- 2014: Ellis Island International Medal of Honor
- 2011: International Emmy: Founders Award – Winner
- 2008: Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
- 2007: The Governors Award – Winner
- 2007: Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
- 2006: Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
- 2005: Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
- 2004: Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
- 2003: Grammy: Album of the Year – Nominee
See also
In Spanish: Nigel Lythgoe para niños
- List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
