January 2
Born Today:
Vera Zorina
Vera Zorina (1912-2003), a Norwegian ballerina born Eva Hartwig, was briefly married to choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983), and she danced in the Slaughter on 10th Avenue number in both the original Broadway version and the movie version of On Your Toes in the 1930s. Before meeting Balanchine, she danced with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, and adopted a Russian-sounding name at the behest of the dance company. She appeared on Broadway and in movies in several other dance roles, but success as an actor eluded her.
Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Yuri Grigorovich (1927-) performed with the Kirov Ballet from 1946-1962. He successfully transitioned into the role of choreographer and artistic director and he ran the Bolshoi Ballet from 1964-1995. He was married to ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova (1941-2008) and after her death, he returned to the Bolshoi as a ballet master and choreographer.