14 Facts About Richard Cragun

Richard Cragun was an American ballet dancer, teacher and ballet director who performed with the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany from 1965 to 1996.

Richard Cragun's father was a college librarian As a child, he was very interested in both music and dance.

Richard Cragun studied there with Betty Farraly and Gweneth Lloyd.

Richard Cragun suggested Cragun apply to the Royal Ballet School in London.

Richard Cragun spent one year at the Royal Ballet school, working with Errol Addison and Harold Turner.

At age 17, Richard Cragun went to Copenhagen, Denmark, to privately train with Vera Volkova, who was responsible for polishing his remarkable classical technique.

Besides his appearances with leading companies in Germany, Richard Cragun danced in Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Sweden, Italy, Canada, the United States, and Japan.

In 1990, during the Stuttgart revival of the Broadway musical On Your Toes, Richard Cragun exhibited his tap dancing skills.

Richard Cragun was described as a big, handsome man, with a powerful physique who danced with dazzling virtuosity and distinct virility, a perfect foil for the brilliant technique and delicate femininity of Haydee.

The relationship broke up in 1977 when Richard Cragun realized that he was a gay man.

In later years, Richard Cragun entered a relationship with Brazilian choreographer Roberto de Oliveira that lasted until Richard Cragun's death.

Richard Cragun became ballet director at the city's Teatro Municipal, where, he managed a company of 70 dancers and staged works from the Stuttgart repertory.

On 6 August 2012, Richard Cragun suffered a seizure triggered by a lung infection.

Richard Cragun was admitted to a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, where he died soon after.