born Feb. 3, 1926, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
American dancer, choreographer, and ballet director.
He trained in modern dance with Hanya Holm and Martha Graham . Between 1946 and 1962 he danced in Broadway musical productions as well as with dance companies such as the American Ballet Theatre . He became a choreographer in 1962, forming his own company and creating Pierrot Lunaire . Subsequently he staged works with most of the major dance companies throughout the world. Tetley's work helped to bring about a synthesis of modern dance and classical ballet. His creative staging and daring, often sexual, subject matter were sometimes controversial, but he was praised for the passion and strong physicality of his work.