Alex Romero
Biography
Alex Romero, born Alexander Bernard Quiroga in San Antonio, Texas, was the son of a Mexican general and politician. His family fled to the United States during the Mexican Revolution after his father and many brothers were killed. Raised in a family of performers, Alex initially had no formal dance training but learned tap by observing Black dancers in vaudeville acts. At fifteen, he joined his brothers’ Spanish dance troupe, adopting the stage name Romero, and toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe. In 1936, while on tour in Norway, he married Faun, and the couple returned to the U.S. in 1939 as World War II began. Romero soon joined Jack Cole’s dance team at Columbia Pictures and transitioned into film choreography. He worked with legendary figures like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Busby Berkeley, and Michael Kidd, contributing to iconic films such as An American in Paris, On the Town, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. His solo choreography debut came in Words and Music (1948), where he created standout numbers like “Thou Swell” and “Lady is a Tramp.” Romero became known for his inventive, humorous style and masterful use of props and camera angles. He choreographed for stars including Doris Day, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Fosse, and Russ Tamblyn, and created the unforgettable “Jailhouse Rock” number for Elvis Presley, with whom he developed a close friendship. His work extended to television, Broadway, and nightclubs, with credits on The Perry Como Show, Fantasy Island, and the musical Happy Hunting starring Ethel Merman. A founding member of the Professional Dancers Society, Romero was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Jazz Dance LA Foundation in 2001. He was celebrated not only for his artistic contributions but also for mentoring young dancers and choreographers. Alex Romero passed away peacefully in 2007 at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the future of dance in film and television.
Known For & Full Filmography10 Titles
Movie - 1949, 2h 15m • as "Day in New York" Ballet Dancer (uncredited)
Three sailors wreak havoc as they search for love during a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City.
Movie - 1951, 2h 15m • as Dancing G.I. (uncredited)
Jerry Mulligan is an exuberant American expatriate in Paris trying to make a reputation as a painter. His friend Adam is a struggling concert pianist who's a long time associate of a famous French singer, Henri Baurel. A lonely society woman, Milo Roberts, takes Jerry under her wing and supports him, but is interested in more than his art.
Movie - 1979, 2h 15m • as Wild Old Man
Rabbi Avram arrives in Philadelphia from Poland en route to San Francisco where he will be a congregation's new rabbi. An innocent and inexperienced traveller, he is tricked by con men to pay for the trip to go west, then they leave him and his belongings scattered along a deserted road. He is befriended by a stranger, Tommy, who is a bank robber and have many adventures during their journey.
Movie - 1985, 2h 15m • as From 'On the Town' (archive footage)
A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from its origins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, up to the break dance and music videos from the 80s.
Movie - 1950, 2h 15m • as Dancing Villager (uncredited)
Snooty opera singer meets a rough-and-tumble fisherman in the Louisiana bayous, but this fisherman can sing! Her agent lures him away to New Orleans to teach him to sing opera but comes to regret this rash decision when the singers fall in love.
Movie - 1944, 2h 15m • as Dancer (uncredited)
During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every star on the lot--often playing themselves--in musical numbers and comedy skits, and were meant as morale-boosters to both the troops overseas and the civilians at home. This was Universal Pictures' effort. It features everyone from Donald O'Connor to the Andrews Sisters to Orson Welles to W.C. Fields to George Raft to Marlene Dietrich, and dozens of other Universal players.
Movie - 1980, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
The story of the life and times of the legendary Hollywood blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe, from her meteoric rise to stardom to her marriages and untimely death.
Movie - 1944, 2h 15m • as Dancer (uncredited)
Two soldiers on leave spend three nights at a club offering free of charge food, dancing, and entertainment for servicemen on their way overseas. Club founders Bette Davis and John Garfield give talks on the history of the place.
Movie - 1950, 2h 15m • as Crab Seller (uncredited)
Island girl Mimi plans to leave Tahiti, but maybe she'll have a reason to stay when Mr. Endicott arrives.
Movie - 1946, 2h 15m • as Dancer (uncredited)
Howard Young is a coast guardsman who has been on shore duty for three years despite his efforts to be sent into action. His nearest approach to sea duty was on a harbor-moored life raft for 21 days as part of an experiment with a new type of vitamin gum for the government. He meets Christine Bradley, a SPAR, sent to take over his communications job and, by things he leaves unsaid, she thinks his life-raft experience was the result of a ship-wreck at sea.