A student of the Paris Opera Ballet at age 10.
Created the Ballet de Champs-Elysees in 1945.
Made musicals in Hollywood from 1951-1955, including Daddy Long Legs (1955) with Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, and Anything Goes (1956) with Bing Crosby and ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire, who later became his wife.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1981 Tony Award as Best Choreographer for "Can-Can."
Won the French National Prize for Dance in 1979.