Don Lurio

Donald Benjamin Lurio, better known by his stage name of Don Lurio (Born 15 November 1929 in New York City - died 26 January 2003 in Rome) was an American-born Jewish Italian dancer, choreographer and presenter for RAI, the Italian national television.

Born in the United States from Russian and Austrian parents, Lurio operated a dance studio on Broadway with Bob Fosse and Jack Cole. In 1957 the group toured Europe and Lurio decided to settle in Italy. He appeared in several Italian films and TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. He also appeared in a handful of British films. In 1970 he choreographed the interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest with his ensemble, The Don Lurio Dancers. One of his most popular number, Testa Spalla (Head/Shoulder) was premiered on the show Hai visto mai? in 1973 as a duet with Lola Falana.

Openly gay (which was considered scandalous given the morals of the time), Lurio had a long-term relationship with Livio Costagli, who died in 1994 at the age of 44 years from complications caused by AIDS.

Lurio died in Rome in 2003 from respiratory failure. As per his will, the National Academy of Dance in Rome has now a grant named after him.

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