Jose Greco, the dancer who turned American audiences on to Spanish dance in the 1940s and '50s, died Dec. 31 at his home in Pennsylvania, The New York Times reported.
The Italian-born Mr. Greco was 82. He moved to New York with his family when he was nine years old. By the time he was a teenager he was dancing in opera choruses at the Hippodrome. He formed his own troupe, Ballet y Bailes Espana de Jose Greco, which performed on Broadway. The Times reported that he and Carol Channing were selected as the "New Broadway Personality of the Year" in 1951.
He also worked in nightclubs and found wide fame on TV variety shows.
He toured the U.S. in the title role of The Passion of Dracula. He and his company appeared in the films, "Around the World in 80 Days" and "Ship of Fools."
Mr. Greco was performing as late as 1995, with his children. His dances are still performed by a company run by his son, Jose Greco II. — By Kenneth Jones
