About
Influential African American dancer and choreographer. He brought modern dance to a wider audience, founded New York's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and created a famous dance piece called "Revelations."
Before Fame
As a teenager, he studied dance with renowned choreographer Lester Horton, who established the first American dance school that taught students of all races.
Trivia
While living in San Francisco, he performed in nightclubs with poet Maya Angelou.
Family Life
He was once romantically linked to political activist David McReynolds. Tragically, Ailey contracted HIV in the 1980s and died in his late fifties.
Associated With
He appeared with actress and singer Pearl Bailey in the 1954 Broadway production of House of Flowers.
