Paul Haakon

Haakon was born on September 8, 1911, in Fredericia, Denmark.[1] He studied ballet at the Royal Opera House in Copenhagen.[2]

Haakon made his Broadway debut in 1933 in Champagne, Sec and continued to dance in numerous Broadway productions.[3] He also performed in vaudeville acts at Radio City Music Hall alongside lead ballerina Patricia Bowman.[2] In 1935, he briefly joined the American Ballet.

During World War II, Haakon toured with the United Service Organizations.[2] He returned to the stage in the mid-forties, choreographing and dancing for Mexican Hayride and choreographing Spook Scandals.[3] Expanding into television and film, Haakon also appeared on The Milton Berle Show,[1] danced for the 1956 movie Around the World in 80 Days, and was the assistant dance director for the film So This Is Love.[4]

Haakon joined the Jose Greco Spanish Ballet as a performer, eventually also serving as ballet master and production manager.[2] Haakon and Greco developed a close friendship, and Haakon remained with the group until his retirement.[5]

In 1970, Haakon retired from dance. In his later years, he worked as a salesman and a mail handler.[2]

Haakon died of cancer in New York City on August 16, 1992. He is buried in Pohick Church Cemetery in Fairfax County, Virginia.[6] In an obituary in The Washington Post, Haakon was described as "among the great male ballet dancers of the 20th century".[7]