Biography
Sir Robert Helpmann (9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, choreographer and director. Born in Mount Gambier, South Australia, he began his stage career in Australia before moving to Britain in 1933, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet (later the Royal Ballet). He became a principal dancer and formed a celebrated partnership with Margot Fonteyn.
Helpmann appeared in British films from the 1940s onwards, including One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942), Henry V (1944) and, most notably, The Red Shoes (1948), in which he played Ivan Boleslawsky and contributed to the choreography. Other screen roles include parts in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951), 55 Days at Peking (1963), The Quiller Memorandum (1966), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) as the Child Catcher, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972). He also worked extensively in theatre, creating ballets such as Hamlet (1942) and Miracle in the Gorbals (1944).
Helpmann was appointed co-director and later director of the Australian Ballet (1965–1976). He was made a CBE in 1964 and knighted in 1968.
