Dean Collins

Who was Dean Collins?

Dean Collins was an American dancer, instructor, choreographer, and innovator of swing. He is often credited with bringing the Lindy Hop, from New York to Southern California. Collins worked in 37 or 38 films as well performing live and on television.

He grew up in Newark, New Jersey and, at age 13, learned to dance from his two older sisters. and quickly began "doing amateur contests in Newark". He was soon dancing at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. In 1935, he was named "Dancer of the Year" by The New Yorker.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1936. He worked as a janitor at Simon's Drive-In Diner. At night, he danced at the Diana Ballroom and Casino Gardens. Worried that his Jewish name would hinder his career, he adopted the name "Dean Collins", derived from a wallet he found.

His career started when he was hired by RKO pictures to choreograph the dancing in Let's Make Music, filmed in 1939 and released in 1940.

In 1942 he appeared in the Soundies The Chool Song released 3/23/42. He and his partner were billed as "Collins and Colette", and music was recorded by Spike Jones.

He eventually danced in or choreographed nearly forty Hollywood movies, including an appearance in the classic Hellzapoppin'. He also taught dancing in Los Angeles from the 1930s until his death in 1984. During this time, he taught many people including Shirley Temple, Joan Crawford, Cesar Romero, Abbott and Costello, Jonathan Bixby, Sylvia Sykes, and Arthur Murray.