1gjogo Christian Holder, Longtime Star of the Joffrey Ballet, Dies at 75

Christian Holder, a standout dancer for the Joffrey Ballet who made his name in the 1960s and early ’70s in pointedly topical works like “Astarte,” a groundbreaking psychedelic ballet, and “The Green Table,” a haunting 1930s antiwar ballet made newly relevant by the Vietnam War, died on Feb. 18 at his home in London. He was 75.

His death was confirmed by his friend and frequent collaborator, the choreographer Margo Sappington, who said the cause had yet to be determined.

Born in Trinidad and reared in Britain, Mr. Holder came from a prominent artistic family. His father, Boscoe Holder, was a celebrated dancer, choreographer, painter, designer and musician. His uncle, Geoffrey Holder, was known in a variety of fields, including dance,66br.com painting and, in particular, acting: With his rich basso profundo voice, he was memorable as a Voodoo villain in the James Bond film “Live and Let Die” (1973), as well as in a series of television spots for 7Up.

Mr. Holder was every bit as varied in his own artistic pursuits. In addition to dancing, he was a choreographer; a costume designer for Tina Turner and other stars, as well as for several ballets; a cabaret singer; a painter; a theater director; and a playwright.

Still, his legacy was built on his 13-year run with the Joffrey — the mold-shattering company founded by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino — which began in 1966, when he was 17. A lithe 6 feet 4 inches tall, he was “majestic and pantherlike” onstage, Ms. Sappington said in an interview.

ImageMr. Holder, left, with Erika Goodman and Robert Blankshine in Gerald Arpino’s “Light Fantastic” in 1968.Credit...Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

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In July, while continuing to work full time, he enrolled in another master’s program to maintain his legal status.

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