Charles Ward, Leading Ballet, Theater Dancer, Dies at Age 33

Charles Ward, one of America’s leading ballet and theatrical dancers, died on July 11 at his home in Downey after suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome. He was 33.

Until recently being hospitalized, Ward had worked as a counselor for AIDS Project/Los Angeles, said Nancy Sawaya, one of the organization’s founders. “He was always actively involved,” Sawaya said. “He was a very gentle, very good, good man.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1952, Ward spent six years as a member of the American Ballet Theatre, performing lead roles in such classics as “Swan Lake,” “La Bayadere” and “Giselle.” He also created roles in several ballets, including Alvin Ailey’s “Sea Change,” Lar Lubovitch’s “Scherzo of Massah Jack” and Anthony Tudor’s “Leaves Are Fading.”

In 1978, Ward left the company to create what is generally considered the male ballet lead in Bob Fosse’s Broadway musical, “Dancin’,” for which he received a Drama Desk award nomination.

He also had parts in four motion pictures, among them a feature role in the 1983 film “Staying Alive.” He appeared in numerous television shows, including specials with Lily Tomlin, Raquel Welch, Rodney Dangerfield and Lynda Carter.

He is survived by his mother, Olive, two sisters and a brother.