About
Actor, dancer, and choreographer noteworthy for his work in musical theater on both the stage and screen. He is most commonly recognized for his notable performances in West Side Story, particularly as Pepe in the 1961 film adaptation, as Juano in the original Broadway production, and as both Juano and Bernardo in the show's many revivals, including both national and international tours.
Before Fame
He initially intended to pursue a career as an automotive engineer until he was introduced to dance by his stepfather. He attended the School of Performing Arts in New York City and studied jazz with renowned stage performer Matt Mattox. In 1957, he attended a cattle call audition for West Side Story and was chosen by director-choreographer Jerome Robbins out of hundreds of performers, making him the youngest cast member in the entire production.
Trivia
In 1962, he became the first-ever male ballet soloist to perform at the White House, when he danced a solo from N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz at a special State Dinner presentation hosted by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in honor of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, and his wife, Farah Pahlavi. In a 1981 interview, he referred to the performance as the proudest moment of his career.
Family Life
He was born to Joshua Norman, a butcher and US Army veteran, and Olga Norman (née Kennedy), a nurse. After marrying Gwenn Lewis in 1959, the pair ultimately separated when Lewis returned to San Francisco, CA. He passed away in Deland, FL on November 14, 2021.
Associated With
He starred alongside Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, and George Chakiris in the 1961 musical romantic drama film West Side Story, which featured music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
