Active Years: 1917-today

Position: American ballet dancer and choreographer of shows and films.

Career Highlights: Kidd won four successive Tony awards between 1950 and 1959 for his choreography of Broadway’s Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Li’l Abner and Destry Rides Again. In the midst of this successful bout of musicals, Kidd also worked on two favorite dance films - The Bandwagon and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Career Totals: In 1947 with Finian’s Rainbow Kidd began his career on Broadway in earnest. During his many years in the business, he did the choreography for over 15 shows and nine films. In the late 1970s, Kidd started slowing his pace.

Scouting Report: Kidd started out by working in ballet and performed for the first time with the Ballet Caravan in Eugene Loring’s Billy the Kid. Although he made a name for himself in the world of classical dance, it was not until he hit Broadway that the name Kidd became a legend.

Teammates and Contemporaries: Early in his career, Kidd danced in a few Antony Tudor ballets and in Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free. In the 1950s he staged scenes in two movies by Daniel Kaye.

Fun Statistic: Before he landed on the right name, Kidd went through quite a few possibilities. Born Milton Gruenwald, he also called himself Michael Grey and Michael Forrest before he decided upon the name by which he is now known.