Legendary dancer, choreographer, and actress Carmen de Lavallade has passed away at the age of 94, her son Léo Holder confirmed. De Lavallade died on December 29, 2025, in Englewood, New Jersey, following a short illness, leaving behind a legacy that spanned more than six decades and reshaped American performing arts.
Known for her striking stage presence, long, willowy frame, and fearless artistry, de Lavallade broke racial barriers in dance, theater, and film. She worked with luminaries including Alvin Ailey, Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte, Agnes de Mille, and her husband of 59 years, Tony Award-winning actor, dancer, and director Geoffrey Holder. Duke Ellington once called her “one of the most ravishing women in the world.”
Born Carmen Paula de Lavallade on March 6, 1931, in Los Angeles, she was raised in a culturally rich environment that nurtured her artistic curiosity. Mentored early by her cousin Janet Collins, the first Black ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera, de Lavallade trained under modern dance pioneer Lester Horton and performed with his multiracial company. She studied dance with Carmelita Maracci and acting with Stella Adler before making her Broadway debut alongside Alvin Ailey in Truman Capote’s House of Flowers in 1954.
In 1955, she married Geoffrey Holder, with whom she created her signature solo Come Sunday, performed to a spiritual sung by Odetta. De Lavallade went on to perform as prima ballerina in Samson and Delilah and Aida at the Metropolitan Opera and appeared in films including Carmen Jones (1954), Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), and Lone Star (1996). Her television appearances included Duke Ellington’s A Drum Is a Woman, and she performed on numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway stages.
De Lavallade also dedicated decades to teaching and mentoring at Yale School of Drama, influencing students such as Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, and Wendy Wasserstein. In 1996, she co-founded PARADIGM, a dance company celebrating mature artists over 50, further cementing her role as a champion for dancers across all stages of life.
In 2017, de Lavallade received the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime achievement and contributions to American culture. She continued performing into her 80s, defying ageism and inspiring generations of artists with her grace, skill, and resilience.
Carmen de Lavallade’s passing marks the loss of a true titan in the world of dance and performing arts. She leaves behind her son Léo Holder and a legacy that continues to shape the artistic landscape.