I grew up picturing myself looking just like her one day, long lines, fair skin, beautiful smile and of course always happy as a wonderful ballerina. I remember watching her fall in love and get heart broken in The Turning Pointe (1977), over and over and over again as a child and seeing her dance with The Fonz on Happy Days. She will forever be the ballerina that made me love my craft, so here's a bit of her history.
Leslie began her training under her father's direction at his studio on Arizona, along with her sister Elizabeth and brother Ethan. At the age of fifteen she received a scholarship to study at the School of American Ballet and at seventeen joined the Corps de Ballet of New York City Ballet company.
Her career took a dramatically positive turn when she was hired on as an extra for The Turning Pointe, through her parent's ballet community connections. Gelsey Kirkland was originally cast for the lead role, but chronic tendonitis forced her to drop out, Leslie was the next natural choice.
After filming The Turning Pointe and being nominated for best supporting actress she went on to make Nijinsky (1980) and Dancers (1987). She guest starred in Happy days and in 1976 she joined the American Ballet Theater as a solist and was promoted to principal in 1986. She retired from the company in 1993. She has since been a guest teacher, choreographer and performed in Broadway's rendition of The Red Shoes.
Leslie Browne is currently on faculty with STEPS on Broadway, The ABT summer program and various master classes in NYC and around the world.
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