Person

Helpmann, Robert, Sir, 1909-1986

• Helpman, Robert, Sir, 1909-1986

1909-1986

Sir Robert Helpmann is an Australian ballet dancer, actor, producer, director and choreographer. He was born in 1909 in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Helpmann was taught ballet by Nora Stewart and first appeared on stage at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, in 1922. As a student he toured Australia and New Zealand in 1926 with Anna Pavlova's company. His professional career began in 1927 when he joined J.C. Williamson Ltd. In 1931 he was 'discovered' by English actress Margaret Rawlings and moved to London, England, the following year. In 1933 he was employed by Dame Ninette de Valois in her Vic-Wells Ballet. Helpmann was the principal male dancer from 1935 to his resignation in 1950. In the 1950s, Helpmann's focus shifted to the dramatic stage, both as a director and actor. His output at the Old Vic in London was prolific. He returned to Australia in 1955 to lead an Old Vic Shakespearean company with Katharine Hepburn and, later, Vivien Leigh. In 1965, he was appointed the artistic director of the Australian Ballet and remained so until 1976. During this time he worked as co-artistic director with Dame Peggy van Praagh and Rudolf Nureyev. In parallel to his ballet and dramatic stage career was his film acting career. Between 1942 and 1987, Helpmann starred in eighteen films. In his later years, he continued to perform in ballets in Australia and abroad while continuing to act and produce. Helpmann died in 1986 in Sydney. His portrait (by Judy Cassab) hangs in the Sydney Opera House. The Helpmann awards were established by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association in 2001.

Revised

Revised, KM, 6-Feb-2025.
Revised, Linda Justo, 15-May-2020.

Sexton, S. (2007). Helpmann, Sir Robert Murray (1909–1986). In Australian Dictionary of Biography Volume 17, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, accessed online 15-May-2020 and 6-Feb-2025.