Bobby Banas Dead At 90: Dancer In West Side Story Passes Away
Accomplished dancer and actor Bobby Banas has died at age 90.
Banas passed away from pneumonia Monday at an assisted living facility in Encino, California, his son, director and photographer Eden Tyler Banas, shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
A dancer, actor, and choreographer, Banas played Jets member Joyboy in the legendary musical 1961 film West Side Story followed by a chimney sweep in the classic 1964 film Mary Poppins.
His other memorable appearances include a role dancing with Ann-Margret in Made in Paris. He even kissed Marilyn Monroe in the 1960 musical comedy Let's Make Love.
The New York born dancer has an extensive and impressive dancing background which includes appearances in the 1965 Elvis Presley-led film Girl Happy, 1958's Damn Yankees, 1961's Babes In Toyland, 1963's Bye Bye Birdie, a 1966 episode of Get Smart, 1964's The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
Accomplished dancer and actor Bobby Banas has died at age 90
Banas' official Instagram account shared the heartbreaking news of his death in a post shared Monday.
'Today was the day that Bobby Banas chose to sore up into the infinite light of the heavens above. A son, brother, father, grandfather and a true legend of stage & screen. You played with the best of them,' the post was captioned.
'You touched and taught so many, gave of your talents and generosity always with a laugh and funny sense of humor. Thanks for being the best pop a kid could ask for. I will love you forever and ever... I know the dance party up above is going to be amazing!!!'
Banas, who was born in New York City on September 22, 1933, was a teenager when he started taking ballroom dancing lessons.
The future star attended the Hollywood Professional High School and Hollywood High, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While in the Michael Panaieff Children's Ballet Company, he partnered with Natalie Wood, whom he would later work with on West Side Story, according to THR.
He also appeared on Broadway, performing under choreographer Jerome Robbins in his productions of Peter Pan and The King and I.
Banas also did choreography for numerous productions, including Mork & Mindy, The Kraft Summer Music Hall, The Judy Garland Show, and Under the Boardwalk.
Banas played a chimney sweep in the classic 1964 film Mary Poppins
A dancer, actor, and choreographer, Banas played Jets member Joyboy in the legendary musical 1961 film West Side Story
Tributes to Banas were posted on X
More recently, Banas achieved viral fame in 2012 when a clip of him and others dancing The Nitty Gritty on a 1964 episode of The Judy Garland Show.
Banas is survived by his son Eden, his daughter-in-law Roxanne, and grandson Dylan.
Fans posted tributes online, with one writing: 'Robert ‘Bobby' Banas is bananas to watch - this dance routine was filmed before a live audience on live television. no re-takes i once read. rest in peace Bobby.'
Another posted: 'RIP Robert Banas who danced with every fiber of his being.'
The official Bobby Banas Instagram account re-posted numerous tributes which featured his memorable Nitty Gritty dance.
West Side StoryCalifornia