Joe Lanza(1923-2011)
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Joseph Lanza was born in Thompsonville, Connecticut on April 20, 1923.
One of a dozen children, Joey had the advantage of a great deal of
freedom. He returned to complete his senior year in high school after
serving in the Air Force during World War II, and graduated from UCLA
seventeen years later at the age of 39 (June 1962). Joey's job resume
lists over seventy different occupations, from shining shoes to stage
and film choreographer. This vast area of job experiences fortunately
turned out to provide him with an endless supply of material for his
first love, writing. Joe owned and operated "The Hollywood Dance Club"
for ten years, danced in some 75 films and television shows, created
the Bossa Nova dance, along with several novelty dances. Winner of the
Rudolf Valentino Tango trophy in 1952, he has taught in public high
schools, written over 30 books, from his 1964 "Art of Teaching Ballroom
Dancing" to his current "Strictly Swing The Dean Collins Way." Lanza
taught from 1949 through 1962 in Hollywood.