As a huge fan of classic movie musicals and dance numbers, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bobby Banas at the age of 90. This talented actor, dancer, and choreographer brought joy to countless audiences through his iconic performances in West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Mary Poppins, among others.
90-year-old Bobby Banas, the multi-talented performer known for his roles as an actor, dancer, and choreographer in films like West Side Story (where he played Joyboy), Bye Bye Birdie, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Mary Poppins, has passed away.
Eden Tyler Banas confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that his father, Banas, passed away on Monday due to pneumonia at an assisted living facility in Encino.
A clip of Banas performing a dance number to the song “The Nitty Gritty” with five others on a 1964 episode of CBS’ “The Judy Garland Show” resurfaced on YouTube, drawing significant interest and views numbering in the millions.
In the year 1959, Banas portrayed Joyboy, a member of the Jets gang, in West Side Story. Subsequently, he was captivated by a kiss from Marilyn Monroe in Let’s Make Love (1960). A few years later, he appeared as a chimney sweep in Mary Poppins (1964), and danced with Ann-Margret in a nightclub setting in Made in Paris (1966).
Robert Joseph Banas, born on September 22, 1933, in New York City, learned ballroom dancing as a young teenager. Later, he teamed up with future “West Side Story” costar Natalie Wood in the Michael Panaieff Children’s Ballet Company. During his adolescence, Banas also attended both the Hollywood Professional School and Hollywood High.
1. Following his stint on stage, he danced “The Charleston” for the first time on screen in the film “Has Anybody Seen My Gal” (1952). Later, he appeared in four movies released in 1956: “Carousel”, “The King and I”, a Bill Haley & His Comets film titled “Rock Around the Clock”, and another one called “Don’t Knock the Rock”.
In 1954-55, he danced for choreographer Jerome Robbins on Broadway productions of “Peter Pan” and “The King and I.” This experience significantly contributed to him being chosen for the role in “West Side Story,” which was directed by Robbins and Robert Wise.
Banas’ dancing portfolio boasts performances in movies like “Damn Yankees” (1958), “The Girl Most Likely” (1958), “L’il Abner” (1959), “Babes in Toyland” (1961), “Bye Bye Birdie” starring Ann-Margret (1963), “The Unsinkable Bobby Brown” with Debbie Reynolds (1964), “Girl Happy” featuring Elvis Presley (1965), and an episode of the TV series “Get Smart” (1966).
He was the choreographer for various shows including “The Kraft Summer Music Hall,” “Malibu U,” “The Jonathan Winters Show,” “Mork & Mindy,” the 1983 production “Hart Like a Wheel,” and the 1986 film “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.”
In addition to his son, survivors include his daughter-in-law, Roxanne, and his grandson, Dylan.
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2024-07-30 21:55