Swen Swenson; Dancer on Broadway, Film, TV

Swen Swenson, dancer and actor on Broadway, film and television, has died at age 61.

Swenson died of AIDS Wednesday at Midway Hospital in Los Angeles, his longtime friend and colleague, Paula Stewart, said Thursday.

The dancer was particularly remembered for his role as Rooster Hannigan, performing “Easy Street” in the musical “Annie,” and for his showstopping “I’ve Got Your Number” in “Little Me.”

Swenson’s other Broadway shows included “Great to Be Alive” in 1950; “Destry Rides Again” in 1959; “Wildcat,” opposite Lucille Ball in 1960; “A Joyful Noise” in 1966; “No, No Nanette” in 1972; “I Remember Mama” in 1979, and a revival of “Can-Can” in 1981.

He was popular in dance revues around the country, such as the American Dance Machine’s sampling of Broadway routines presented at Ford’s Theater in Washington in 1978.

His eccentric style and high kicks were also displayed in films, including “Monte Carlo Baby” and “What’s the Matter with Helen?”

Swenson was a popular dancer on television variety shows, especially “Your Show of Shows,” “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Perry Como Show.”

Swenson was known as an art collector, with a particularly renowned collection of carousel figures.

A native of Inwood, Iowa, he was trained by Mira Rostova and at the School of American Ballet. Throughout most of his long career, he maintained homes in New York’s Greenwich Village and Hollywood.

In honor of Swenson’s assistance to AIDS patients and activism to halt the disease, the organization ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) will have a memorial observance at 9 tonight at Mayfair market in West Hollywood.