Jimmie DeFore, Dancing Teacher in County Since 1976, Dies at 63

Dancer-choreographer Jimmie DeFore died of cancer Sunday. He was 63.

DeFore had taught tap and jazz dancing in Orange County since 1976, first at his studio in Newport Beach and more recently at the Jimmie DeFore Dance Center in Costa Mesa.

DeFore began tap dancing on street corners as a child in Kansas, performed at the age of 12 with Count Basie’s Orchestra in Chicago and made his Broadway debut at the age of 19. He was a principal dancer in such Broadway shows as “Guys and Dolls” and “Pal Joey” in a career that lasted 20 years.

No memorial service is planned. Gloria DeFore, his wife of eight years, said that contributions may be made to the Cancer Center at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach.