David, who spent 20 years of his later life in Bangkok, shot to fame as a feisty dancer and gang member of The Jets in the Academy Award-winning blockbuster musical ‘West Side Story’ in 1961 before expanding his portfolio with a host of musical productions and movies.
One of his last endeavors was a book ‘Tough Guys Do Dance’ detailing his life among the titans of Tinsel Town. It’s an amazing insider’s version of these Hollywood legends, no holds barred.
They include fascinating observations on Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Bobby Darin, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Paul Simon, Steve McQueen, John Wayne, Princess Grace of Monaco, Fred Astaire, Kirk Douglas, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Woody Allen, Bob Hope, Alice Cooper, Tom Jones, Hugh Hefner, Pamela Anderson and many more.
David, who was born in London, England, moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 12, shortly after World War II Before debuting as Baby John in the original Broadway play of West Side Story at the age of 17, David was already a veteran of many Broadway productions, and over 150 live television shows. At 19, he appeared as A-Rab in the motion picture version of West Side Story, which went on to win Academy Awards. Over the next 60 years, David won 26 major award nominations either as director, producer, writer or choreographer, notching 15 wins. Despite poor health in recent years, David insisted he had more movie projects in the pipeline than at any time in the past. The following are edited extracts from the manuscript, provided exclusively to The BigChilli, giving David’s thoughts on just a few of the many characters and legends he met, befriended and loved during a long and extraordinary career. “I’ve had the most amazing life, and I’ve been fortunate to work with so many superstars. “It’s taken me over fifteen years to write this story, as every day I remember things that I had forgotten from my past. I would like other people to read it and share with me and enjoy both the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs. Since I naturally see everything like a film, let’s flash back to… The beginning… Lights…Camera… |
Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco I saw her for the first time stepping out of an old, chauffeured Rolls Royce in front of the palace. I was actually nervous and shaking. When we met, her smile was so radiant, her skin so pure, and her face so elegant and angelic that I was stunned into submission. She was unlike any other girl, any Broadway or movie star, I had ever seen. She was like an apparition, like something spiritual, almost religious. I know it sounds dramatic, but she was that special. She opened up to me and told me that she felt like a bird in a cage. She told me that she often felt uncomfortable living a life of such luxury in a world where so many were impoverished. I felt like I was talking to the girl next door. She had left the princess somewhere behind in the palace. This Grace Kelly was just like so many other girls that I have known, although she never lost her elegance, her femininity, or her sincerity. Her straightforward honesty was beguiling. She was the ultimate princess. Natalie Wood I became very friendly with Natalie (who also starred in West Side Story) and I recall her telling me that she was terribly afraid of water, and used to dream about drowning in it. And, in fact, she did die by drowning. How prophetic and strange that turned out to be. She was such a sweet and unassuming girl. I remember just before she died, Robert Wagner (her husband), Natalie, my girlfriend and I were sitting in the lounge of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and Nat and I were singing all of the score from West Side Story. Natalie liked to drink and she was feeling no pain. Robert came beside me and whispered in my ear. He asked me to finish the singing with Natalie, as he could see Nat was going downhill. I said sure and we planned to meet in the morning. I never saw Natalie Wood again. | Muhammad Ali I met Muhammad Ali and what a thrill that was. My father was a boxer when he was a young man, and he won 22 fights in a row. He finally quit as there was a lot of pressure from his family. I myself am a big boxing fan and have been to quite a few heavyweight championship bouts in Vegas. My dad taught me to box at a very young age, and it’s always stayed with me to this day. Ann-Margret Ann-Margret was a hot young singer and actress, very beautiful, who originally came from Sweden. I’ll never forget the first time I saw her. She was like a breath of fresh air. She was ever so charming and gorgeous and she had a great personality and she and I hit it off really well. What I loved about Ann was that she used to act like a little kid. She had no airs, and was so pure and simple, just like her mom and dad, who I had the pleasure of meeting later on. Such sweet, simple people. Diana Ross Over a three-year period, we had worked together a lot, and I had really come to cherish that diva/ sometimes little girl who came from the humble Brewster Projects in Detroit. To all you young girls that think life is tough, take heed from this great woman. She overcame unbelievable obstacles and is now considered one of the all-time greatest artists. Never give up your dreams! For me, working with Diana Ross was truly one of the great pleasures of my life. She is a remarkable woman and a one-off. When Diana was born, they threw away the mold. |