Cholly Atkins, 89, dance choreographer, succumbs

Jet, May 12, 2003

Cholly Atkins, 89, the legendary dancer who choreographed the moves of countless Motown artists, recently died of pancreatic cancer at a hospital in Las Vegas.

Born Charles Atkinson, Atkins worked with the Cadillacs, the Supremes, the Temptations, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye.

The polished performer, who groomed acts to be very classy, also choreographed the June Taylor Dancers for "The Jackie Gleason Show." His work on Broadway included Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949; he choreographed the Broadway musical Black and Blue in 1988. His work with the production earned him a Tony Award.

The National Endowment for the Arts in 1993 awarded Atkins its top honor, a three-year fellowship to record his memoirs and tour colleges to teach choreography and dance. He is survived by a wife, Maye Atkinson.