Lester Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1942-04-13)April 13, 1942 |
| Died | February 14, 1993(1993-02-14) (aged 50) |
| Occupation(s) | Dancer/Choreographer and Actor |
| Years active | 1964–1993 (his death) |
| Partner(s) | Zak Reed, ?-? |
Lester Wilson (April 13, 1942 – February 14, 1993) was an African-American dancer, choreographer, and actor. Wilson attended theJuilliard School.Bob Fosse cast him in a 1963 revival ofPal Joey at the New York City Center. Wilson toured London withSammy Davis Jr. inGolden Boy. In 1969, he was responsible with 24 of his dancers for the choreography of Johnny Hallyday's show at the Palais des Sports in Paris.
Lester's best known choreography was the 1977 movieSaturday Night Fever for which he coachedJohn Travolta. Wilson had choreographed forDiana Ross,Dalida,Gladys Knight,Billy Crystal,Liza Minnelli andAnn-Margret, in her Las Vegas stage spectaculars. He also choreographed the 1992 movieSister Act.
In 1991, Wilson was nominated for an AmericanEmmy Award for the choreography in the ABC specialAmerican Dance Honors. Lester also choreographed several Broadway musicals, includingGrind withBen Vereen.
In February 1993, Wilson died of a heart attack in Los Angeles at the age of 50. Wilson was a major contributor to the fight against AIDS, notably in choreography created for AIDS Project/L.A. He had previously undergone a quintuple bypass in 1979 at the age of 37.[1]
He also appeared on Good Times as a grocery store manager in a 1975 episode entitled "Florida's Protest".
He was homosexual.[2]
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