Tony Fields (December 28, 1958 – February 27, 1995[1]) was an American dancer, famous for his performances on the television show Solid Gold, several videos for Michael Jackson, and the film version of the American musical A Chorus Line.
Tony Fields | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anthony Dean Campos December 28, 1958 Stafford, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 1995 (aged 36) Dunsmuir, California, U.S. |
| Burial place | Dunsmuir City Cemetery |
| Occupation(s) | Dancer, actor |
| Years active | 1978-1995 |
Early life edit
Fields was born Anthony Dean Campos in Stafford, Kansas. After his parents separated when he was four, his mother remarried, and he took his stepfather's last name: Fields. He was raised in Davis, California, showed an early aptitude for gymnastics, then began dance training. He attended Davis High School, graduating in 1977.[2] Fields went to college at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts on scholarship and Roland Dupree Academy of Dance, but left when paid work began to materialize.[2]
Work on film and television edit
He moved to Hollywood to pursue his career and started performing as a backup dancer in Debbie Reynolds' nightclub act.[2] He then found a job on the Solid Gold as a dancer in 1979.[2] Fields continued with Solid Gold until 1985.[2][3] During this time, he performed in the music video for Queen's "Body Language" at Freddie Mercury's request.[4]
In 1983, Fields performed in Michael Jackson's videos "Beat It" and "Thriller", both choreographed by Michael Peters as well as Lionel Richie's video "Running with the Night".[2][5]
Richard Attenborough was working on a film version of the Broadway musical A Chorus Line in 1984. After a casting call that attracted over 3,000 people, and auditions by anyone who previously performed in the musical, Tony Fields won the role of Al DeLuca.[2][6][7][8]
Fields' film work continued with roles in Trick or Treat (1986),[3] Body Beat (1987),[5][9] The Doctor (1991) and Across the Moon (1995) and television shows such as Murder, She Wrote (1992), L.A. Law (1991) and Monsters (1990).[2] He also performed in plays and musical theatre in California.
He gradually became ill and was no longer able to sustain the physical demands of dancing; he returned to Davis High School to mentor students in 1994.[2]
Legacy edit
Fields is honored each year at Davis Senior High School with the showcase "A Tribute to Tony Fields" ,[10] celebrating the arts program of the school.[2] He was inducted into the high school's hall of fame in 2009, and a scholarship is available in his name.[2][10]
References edit
- ^ "Tony Dean Fields". Find A Grave. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "DHS students perform annual Tony Fields tribute this weekend". 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
- ^ a b McPadden, Mike (13 September 2015). "10 Hard Rock + Heavy Metal Artists Who Roughed Up TV's Solid Gold". VH1 News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
- ^ Freestone, Peter (2010). Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir by the Man who Knew Him Best. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0857121271.
- ^ a b Gerace, Adam (2019-01-06). "Dancing Through Life – Part 1". AdamGerace.com. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
- ^ Rowan, Tom (2015). A Chorus Line. Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. p. 59. ISBN 9781480367548.
- ^ Gower, Sonny (22 December 1985). "A Chorus on the Unemployment Line". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Vay, Allen Lee (17 January 1986). "'A Chorus Line — The Movie': Film brings spirit of Broadway back to the screen". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "Dance Academy Movie Trivia - The 80s Movies Rewind". www.fast-rewind.com. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
- ^ a b Lau, Krystal (2014-04-20). "Tony Fields tribute has new sound, same great style". Davis Enterprise. Retrieved 2016-07-23.