Tony Charmoli

Biography

Tony Charmoli (June 11, 1921 – August 7, 2020) was an American dancer, choreographer, and director. He began dancing on Broadway in such shows as Make Mine Manhattan but soon began choreographing for television with Stop the Music in 1949. Charmoli then choreographed dance sequences for the popular Your Hit Parade, winning his first Emmy Award in 1955. He went on to direct and choreograph for some of the biggest stars including Dinah Shore, Lily Tomlin, Danny Kaye, Julie Andrews, Cyd Charisse, Shirley MacLaine, Mitzi Gaynor, and others. On Broadway, Tony choreographed Ankles Aweigh and Woman of the Year with Lauren Bacall. More recently, Charmoli focused his talents on directing for television, where he directed such programs as the famous 1977 production of The Nutcracker starring Mikhail Baryshnikov, which was nominated for two Emmys (neither nomination was for Charmoli, however). He directed and choreographed nearly all of Mitzi Gaynor's television specials in the 1970s as well as two of Shirley MacLaine's. He also worked many times with Sid and Marty Krofft, directing all seventeen episodes of Lidsville and The Bugaloos, respectively, as well as their TV special Fol-de-Rol. He…

Directed

1. John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979) — Director
2. The Nutcracker (1977) — Director
3. The Bugaloos (1970) — Director
4. The John Davidson Christmas Special (1977) — Director
5. Musical Comedy Tonight II (1981) — Director
6. The Captain and Tennille (1976) — Director
7. Mitzi... A Tribute to the American Housewife (1974) — Director
8. The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here? (1977) — Director
9. Lily: Sold Out (1981) — Director
10. Doris Day Today (1975) — Director
11. Mitzi & 100 Guys (1975) — Director
12. From Raquel with Love (1980) — Director
13. The King Family Show (1965) — Director
14. Fol-de-Rol (1972) — Director
15. Mitzi... Zings Into Spring (1977) — Director
16. Mitzi... Roarin' in the 20s (1976) — Director
17. Mitzi... What's Hot, What's Not (1978) — Director
18. Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul (1976) — Director
19. Liberace: A Valentine Special (1979) — Director
20. Leapin' Lizards, It's Liberace! (1978) — Director
21. Bob Hope Comedy Special (1967) — Director
22. Julie Andrews' Invitation to the Dance with Rudolf Nureyev (1980) — Director

Also appeared in

1. Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood (2018) — Self
2. The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) — Self
3. The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) — Self
4. Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years (2008) — Self