Jacques d'Amboise (born Joseph Jacques Ahearn; July 28, 1934 – May 2, 2021) was an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and educator. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949 and was named principal dancer in 1953, and throughout his time with the company he danced 24 roles for George Balanchine. He also made film appearances, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Carousel. He choreographed 17 ballets for the New York City Ballet and retired from performing in 1984.
D'Amboise founded the National Dance Institute in 1976 to promote dance to children. His work with the institute was featured in the documentary, He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin, which won an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. He received the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995, and the National Medal of Arts in 1998.
Early life and training
Joseph Jacques Ahearn was born on July 28, 1934, in Dedham, Massachusetts, to an Irish American father, Andrew Ahearn, and a mother of French Canadian descent, Georgette D'Amboise. He was one of four children. The family later moved to Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York. His father became an elevator operator at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He left high school at age fifteen when he joined the New York City Ballet.
Career
In 1949, 15-year-old d'Amboise was recruited to the New York City Ballet. Soon he was cast in lead roles, including the lead in Lew Christensen's Filling Station. In 1978 he was named dean of dance at State University of New York at Purchase. D'Amboise was the subject of Emile Ardolino's documentary, He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin, which followed his works with the National Dance Institute. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1983 and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 1984.
He retired from the New York City Ballet in 1984, shortly before he turned 50. He then shifted his focus to the National Dance Institute.
Awards and honors
Honors d'Amboise received include the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995, the National Medal of Arts in 1998, and the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards in 2011. the New York Governor's Award, and honorary doctorate degrees from Boston College and Montclair State University.
Personal life
In 1956 d'Amboise married Carolyn George, a New York City Ballet dancer and later a photographer. They had four children, including Christopher, a dancer and choreographer, and Charlotte, also a dancer and actress. Carolyn George died in 2009.
Death
D'Amboise died at his home in Manhattan on May 2, 2021, following complications from a stroke at the age of 86.