Patrick Dupond has joined the vault of heaven

The former principal dancer, Patrick Dupond passed away on March 5, 2021 in the afternoon following a devastating illness.

Who was Patrick Dupond?

Patrick Dupont was born on March 14, 1959 in Paris. Raised by his mother and his companion, after the departure of his father. He first played soccer and judo, but it was in classical dance that he found his way. Former principal dancer Max Bozzoni took him under his thumb and remained by his side until his death in 2003.

In 1970, he entered the dance school of the Paris Opera. At the same time, he studied at Lycée Racine in Paris and graduated at the age of 14.

His career

At 16, he entered the ballet as a trainee quadrille. A year later, he entered alone in the international competition in Varna (Bulgaria) in 1976 and won the gold medal. In 1980, he became a star of the Paris Opera. He works with the greatest choreographers: John Neumeier, Roland Petit, Alvin Ailey or Maurice Béjart.

Between 1988 and 1991, he was artistic director of the French ballet in Nancy. This did not prevent Pierre Bergé from appointing him in 1990 to dance director of the Paris Opera. At 31, he succeeds Rudolf Nureyev. Between 1990 and 1995, he combined the functions of boss and dancer, before becoming a simple star again.

In 1997, the management of the Opera fired him for insubordination and indiscipline, following his absence for his participation in the Cannes Film Festival as a member of the jury.

In May 1999, the dancer performed at the Cadre Noir equestrian ballet for 3 days at the POPB. André Bercoff’s texts are spoken by Gérard Darmon, the music is provided by the Orchester Symphonique Colonne, the setting stage by Olivier Panhuys, musical direction by Mélanie Thiebaut and choreography by Jean-Hugues Tanto

The accident

In January 2000, he was the victim of a serious car accident. This resulted in 134 fractures, 3 artificial vertebrae, a torn hand. Doctors tell him he won’t be dancing anymore. By dint of will and following daily training with Max Bozzoni, he returned to the stage after 9 months of convalescence for a musical « L’Air de Paris ». However, he will have to deal with burnout and alcohol problems for 2 years.

A new start

Patrick Dupond owes his new life to his companion, Leila da Rocha, former international basketball champion, who went to Martha Graham then converted into sacred oriental dance.

Regarding his past, he believes that his homosexuality was a mistake. In 2004, he met the one who would share his life until the end. He became a teacher at his dance school in Soissons and went on to perform in Aisne.

In December 2007, he came close to death when his house in Guainville burned down (28). After a night in the hospital, he was released unharmed, but the house was totally destroyed, as were all his memories there.

In 2017, they announced the opening of an international dance school in Bordeaux. The establishment is aimed at the young generation (10 to 20 years old) and is divided into two 3-year courses. The aim is to « bridge the gap between the conservatory and the opera, with local, national and international companies ».

In September 2018, he participated as a new member of the jury in the show « Dance with the stars » on TF1, alongside Shy’m, Chris Marques and Jean-Marc Généreux.

His experiences on television and in the cinema

Television

• 1978: He was a musician: Monsieur Stravinsky, by Roger Hanin: Nijinsky (star dancer)
• 1994: Dance with life, by Michel Favart: Franck Veaujour (star dancer)
• 1996: Patrick Dupond the insolent talent, by Luc Riolon, France 2
• 2001: The Cloak and the Sword: The Minstrel
• 2005: Celebrity Farm (season 2) on TF1
• 2005: Celebrity Dancing on TF1: juror
• 2007-2008: France has an incredible talent: juror, season 2 and 3 on M6
• 2014-2017: Prodigies on France 2: juror, dance category
• 2018-2020: Dance with the stars: juror, season 9 and 10 on TF1

Cinema

• 1990: Dancing Machine, by Gilles Béhat: Chico / with Alain Delon and Claude Brasseur
• 1999: Les Grandes Bouches, by Bernie Bonvoisin: The cop

Work

• 2000: Autobiography entitled “Étoile” (Fayard).

Awards

• 1988: Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters
• 1990: Knight of the National Order of Merit
• 1997: Knight of the Legion of Honor

Tributes

• The announcement of the dancer’s death triggered many reactions in the cultural and dance worlds, but also among anonymous people and politicians.

• « I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Patrick Dupond, a sensitive and insanely talented artist. His grace, virtuosity and generosity make him one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century « , wrote the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot.

• The Paris Opera has expressed its « emotion » and « deep sadness » after the dancer’s disappearance. « His person and his name will remain attached to a part of the history of the institution. »

• « The City of Nancy learns with sadness of the death of Patrick Dupond, former principal dancer of the Paris Opera and former artistic director of the French Ballet of Nancy from 1988 to 1991 », declared the city.
• « Sorry to hear of Patrick Dupond’s disappearance. He was one of the most brilliant star dancers of his generation, serving wonderfully, on stage and as director, the immense company that is the Paris Opera Ballet ”, paid tribute to the Chairman of the Board of Governors of audiovisual.
• “Very great sadness… Patrick Dupond, his grace, his strong personality, his permanent playfulness, dazzled us for so long and for so long. Thank you sir. Thank you dear you. Rest in peace, « responded the deputy mayor of Paris for Agriculture and regional candidate in Île-de-France, Audrey Pulvar.
• « TF1 is very sad to learn of the death of Patrick Dupond, one of the greatest French principal dancers recognized throughout the world, whom we had the honor and the pleasure to welcome as judge of Dance With The Stars . All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones ”.

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