Jacques d'Amboise (born Joseph Jacques Ahearn, July 28, 1934 – May 2, 2021)[1] was an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and educator. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949 and was named principal dancer in 1953, and throughout his time with the company he danced 24 roles for George Balanchine. He also made film appearances, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Carousel. He choreographed 17 ballets for the New York City Ballet and retired from performing in 1984.
At age seven, d'Amboise was sent to his sister's ballet class, and within six months he entered George Balanchine's School of American Ballet.[1] In 1946 his mother managed to convince the family to change their surname from Ahearn to hers, d'Amboise, as "it's aristocratic, it's French...and it's a better name". Thus his name was legally changed to Joseph Jacques d'Amboise.[4]: 60 The same year he started performing child roles with Ballet Society.[5] He left high school at age fifteen when he joined the New York City Ballet.[6]
Jacques d'Amboise with Suzanne Farrell on USA DANCE: New York City Ballet (1965) performing George Balanchine's "Meditation" on archive.org
He retired from the New York City Ballet in 1984, shortly before he turned 50.[6] He later stated he decided to retire as there were few roles he could dance at that age.[15] He then shifted his focus to the National Dance Institute.[1] In 1986 he appeared in the Disney film, Off Beat, with his character teaching dance to New York City police.[9]
In 1956 d'Amboise married Carolyn George, a New York City Ballet dancer and later a photographer.[10] They had four children, including Christopher, a dancer and choreographer, and Charlotte, also a dancer and actress. Carolyn George died in 2009.[18]
Death
D'Amboise died at his home in Manhattan on May 2, 2021, following complications from a stroke at the age of 86.[1]