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• Time Period
  • 1500s - 1700s
  • 1800s
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  • 1920s - 1960s
  • 1970s - present
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Meet The Artists

Biography

Rex Harrington

National Ballet of Canada

(1962- )

Rex Harrington was born in Peterborough, Ontario. He began his dance training in at the age of fourteen at the National Ballet School. He joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1983. Almost immediately, Harrington was noticed by choreographers. In his first year with the National Ballet, for instance, Constantin Patsalas cast him in a principal role in Oiseaux Exotiques with Karen Kain. They danced together until Kain's retirement in 1997.

Harrington was promoted to principal dancer in 1988. He was particularly praised for his dramatic charisma and his superb partnering skills. In addition to Kain, Harrington partnered some of the greatest ballerinas of his generation, including Ekaterina Maximova, Carla Fracci, Alessandra Ferri and Evelyn Hart.

Harrington is particularly acclaimed for his performances in James Kudelka's The Four Seasons (1997) and John Cranko's Onegin (1965). In 1994, Kudelka choreographed Solo for Rex. Working the choreographer Glen Tetley, Harrington also originated the role of Lewis Carroll in Alice and The Young Gentleman in La Ronde.

Harrington is not only known for his classical ballet performances. He appeared, for instance, in the Norman Jewison film, The January Man. His television appearances also include three CBC specials: Karen Kain: Dancing in the Moment; Wild Hearts in Strange Times, which featured Canadian dance artist Margie Gillis; and Cynthia, a variety special starring the Canadian actor Cynthia Dale. He also acted in an episode of the television series Queer as Folk. Harrington made his musical theatre debut in 2002, in the production Robin Hood, which was staged at Toronto's Winter Garden Theatre.

In 2000, Harrington was named to the Order of Canada and won a Gemini award for his performance in the film version of The Four Seasons. He was invited to perform for Queen Elizabeth II as part of the celebrations in honour of her Jubilee anniversary in 2002.

Harrington retired as principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada in 2004. The following year he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. He continues to perform as a guest artist while pursuing a career as an actor.