Broadway Dancer Danny Daniels Dies at 92
(photo provided by Peter Giagni Management)
Veteran Broadway dancer-choreographer Danny Daniels died at the age of 92 on July 7, according to published reports.
Born Daniel Giagni Jr., he began his 74-year career at the age of five tap dancing in the beer halls of his home town, Albany, New York. His family moved to Hollywood, and at age 14 he was a featured tap dancer in the Paramount film The Star Maker, starring Bing Crosby.
Daniels made his Broadway debut in 1941 in Best Foot Forward, and was later seen performing in such productions as Count Me In, Billion Dollar Baby, Street Scene, Make Mine Manhattan, and Kiss Me, Kate. In the 1960s, Daniels began work as a Broadway choreographer, creating the dances for All American, High Spirits (receiving a 1964 Tony nomination), and I Remember Mama, among other shows. He won the 1984 Tony Award for Best Choreography for The Tap Dance Kid, and was double-nominated in 1967 for Annie Get Your Gun and Walking Happy.
On television, Daniels choreographed for The Judy Garland Show, The Danny Kaye Special, and Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, with his work also seen in films including Zelig, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Pennies from Heaven.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Daniels is survived by three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
