Jean Babilée

Jean Babilée, born Jean Gutmann on February 3, 1923, in Paris, was a distinguished French dancer and choreographer, renowned for his contributions to modern ballet during the second half of the 20th century. Often referred to as the "enfant terrible of dance," Babilée was the first French dancer to achieve international recognition.

His ballet journey began at the Paris Opéra Ballet School, where he trained from 1936 until 1940. However, the onset of World War II disrupted his career due to his Jewish heritage. In 1940, as the German forces advanced, he fled Paris but returned in 1942 to resume dancing with the Paris Opera Ballet, narrowly escaping deportation during the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup. To evade forced labor, he joined the French Resistance, fighting with the Maquis until the war's conclusion.

Post-war, Babilée thrived as a principal dancer with Les Ballets des Champs-Élysées, where he debuted in notable works such as Jeu de cartes, Jean Cocteau's Le Jeune Homme et la Mort, and Till Eulenspiegel. His astounding physicality drew comparisons to the legendary Nijinsky. In the 1950s, he collaborated with prestigious companies like Le Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris and the American Ballet Theatre before establishing his own troupe, Les Ballets Jean Babilée.

Later roles included directing the Ballet du Rhin and performing significant works well into his 60s, such as Le Jeune Homme et la Mort with the Ballet de Marseille. Babilée's legacy was captured in the 2000 documentary Le Mystère Babilée, which showcases his remarkable career and influence through interviews and insights from contemporaries. Jean Babilée passed away on January 30, 2014, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of dance.