Life and Career
Born Milton Greenwald in New York City on the Lower East Side, the son of Abraham Greenwald, an immigrant barber, and his wife Lillian, Michael Kidd moved to Brooklyn with his family and attended New Utrecht High School there. Becoming interested in dance after attending a modern dance performance, he went on to study under Blanche Evan, a dancer and choreographer who was a pioneer in the development of dance therapy. Nonetheless, he pursued chemical engineering at the City College of New York, which he attended from 1936 to mid-1937 before being granted a scholarship to the School of American Ballet.
His work for the 1954 film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was noted for a series of energetic dances depicting ordinary frontier activities, including a barn raising. He also choreographed Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in the celebrated Girl Hunt Ballet from the 1953 musical film The Band Wagon as well as the 1969 musical Hello, Dolly!
He was both director and choreographer for the musical comedy film Merry Andrew, starring Danny Kaye.
Kidd's brother was celebrated psychotherapist Dr. Howard Greenwald and he was the uncle of filmmaker and political activist, Robert Greenwald.
Kidd died of cancer at the age 92 at his home in Los Angeles, California. He is interred in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, CA.
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