Christopher Gillis (February 26, 1951 in Montreal – August 7, 1993 in New York City) was an important gay male dancer and choreographer and member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Early life and career

Born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of the late Gene Gillis, a US Olympic skier, and Rhona Wurtele, a Canadian Olympic skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics along with her twin sister Rhoda. His sister, Margie Gillis, is also a dancer and choreographer; they were dance partners from childhood and collaborated on numerous shows. His brother, Jere Gillis, played professional hockey from 1977 to 1987 for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, Buffalo Sabres, and the Philadelphia Flyers. Gillis studied with Finis Jhung, with Paul Taylor and with choreographers May O'Donnell and Norman Walker. He performed with José Limón's company. He joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1976 in New York City. He lived and worked in New York for the next seventeen years. He was designated Taylor's heir-apparent. His works have been performed by the Paul Taylor company, the White Oak Dance Project and the Fairfax Ballet. He died from AIDS complications at the age of 42.

Works

As choreographer

As dancer

Film

Resources