Dancer Jean Veloz, known for her Lindy Hop routine in Swing Fever, dies

17 January 2023 , 04:51

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Dancer Jean Veloz, known for her Lindy Hop routine in Swing Fever, dies

Dancer Jean Veloz has died at the age of 98, her friend, agent and manager Rusty Frank has confirmed.

Jean, who was best known for her Lindy Hop dances, died at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to Rusty, who told The Hollywood Reporter: "Jean innovated a style of swing dance that was admired around the world.

"It was silky smooth and greatly contrasted the more jitterbug style prevalent during the 1930s-'40s."

She added: "Every moment spent with Jean was a lesson on how to live a life. Her positive attitude was unparalleled, her love of people immense."

Jean appeared in films such as Swing Fever in 1943 and Jive Junction from the same year. In 1945 she starred in The Horn Blows at Midnight.

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Jean Veloz was famed for her dancing

In 2010, Rusty paid tribute to pal Jean in a event called A Tribute to the Groovie Movie. The production paid homage to the dancer and her abundance of creative contributions to the industries over the decades.

Her role in Swing Fever saw her dance as part of the number One Girl and Two Boys alongside servicemen Lennie Smith and Don Gallagher to the tune of Kay Kyser's band with singer Marilyn Maxwell.

Jean, whose real name was Jean Grinnell Phelps, earned a Screen Actors Guild card after winning a contest at Hollywood Legion Stadium, leading to her being cast in the production.

Lennie Smith, Jean Veloz, and Don Gallaher in Swing Fever in 1943

She also danced the jitterbug in 1943 on Where Are Your Children? while dancing alongside Bob Ashley later in the year in Jive Junction.

More recently, she's been a part of The Bachelorette. In 2016, she was given a role of dance instructor on the show, before she appeared on Little Big Shots: Forever Young alongside host Steve Harvey a year later.

Jean Veloz chats to Steve Harvey on Little Big Shots (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Following news of her death, fans took to social media to pay their respects. One user on Twitter wrote: "The Lindy hop community lost an icon yesterday...Jean Veloz."

Another said: "Just heard about the loss Jean Veloz, one of the last original swing dancers. We first met her with @gottaswingdc in 97 on our 1st USA tour & worked with her many times over 25 years.

"Always smiling, positive & dancing. Thanks for 99 years of inspiration, you’ll be missed! #RIP"

And a third added: "Another swing legend has passed away: Jean Veloz."

Jamie Roberts