(December 23, 1918 – December 31, 2000)
José Greco, born Costanzo Greco in Montorio nei Frentani, Italy, was a world-renowned flamenco dancer and choreographer who revolutionized Spanish dance in America during the 1950s and 1960s. Moving to New York City at the age of 10, he began dancing with his sister Norina and made his professional debut in 1937 at the Hippodrome Theatre in Manhattan.

Greco gained fame performing with La Argentinita and later her sister Pilar López, before founding the José Greco Dance Company in 1949. His passionate performances and theatrical flair helped bring Spanish dance to mainstream American audiences through extensive tours and film appearances in Sombrero, Around the World in 80 Days, Ship of Fools, and more.

He was knighted by the Spanish government and awarded numerous honors, including four honorary doctorates. In 1972, he founded the José Greco Foundation for Hispanic Dance to preserve and promote the art form. Greco also published an autobiography, Gypsy in My Soul, in 1977.

Later in life, he performed with his children—many of whom followed in his artistic footsteps—and taught dance as a visiting professor at Franklin & Marshall College. He passed away from heart failure on December 31, 2000, at the age of 82, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in Spanish dance.