Broadway choreographer Danny Daniels passed away on July 7 in Santa Monica, California, at age 92. Daniels was known for his choreography in musicals, such as Walking Happy, Annie Get Your Gun and The Tap Dance Kid, for which he won the 1984 Tony Award for best choreography.

Daniels was born Daniel Giagni Jr. in 1924 in Albany, New York. He began tap dancing at age 5. By 14 he was in Hollywood dancing in the Paramount film The Star Maker. Two years later he returned to New York City to make it on Broadway.

He was a talented dancer, starring in several Broadway shows. In the 1950s, Daniels pioneered choreography for live television. He won an Emmy Award for his TV special “Fabulous Fifties.”

Daniels choreographed his first Broadway show, All American, in 1962. In total, he choreographed 16 shows and received four Tony Award nominations for choreography.

A celebration of Daniels’ life will be held on August 15 at St. Monica’s Church in Santa Monica.