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Bruno Tonioli (born 25 November 1955) is an Italian choreographer and TV personality who currently appears as a judge on the hit shows Strictly Come Dancing for BBC TV in the UK, and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US. Tonioli has become widely known for his jubilant comments and critiques after couples' performances on both shows. Additionally, he co-created and appeared on the BBC talent show DanceX, as well as its American adaptation, Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann.

[edit] Career

In the early 1980s, Tonioli was a leading member of the Paris-based company La Grande Eugene and later joined the Lyndsay Kemp Company. He worked extensively as a freelance dancer, including an appearance in Elton John's “I'm Still Standing” video, before starting a career as a choreographer working with Pamela Stephenson on Not the Nine O'Clock News.

Tonioli has worked extensively in the music business, choreographing videos, stage shows and tours for many artists, including Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Freddie Mercury, Boy George, and Duran Duran. His close association with Bananarama produced many videos, from "Venus" to Movin' On.

In January 2008, ABC premiered Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie-Ann. Tonioli's team won the viewer-voted competition, earning a contract with Hollywood Records.

Tonioli's motion picture credits include Ella Enchanted, The Gathering Storm, Little Voice, Dancin' thru the Dark, Enigma, The Parole Officer, and What a Girl Wants. His television film credits include Miss Marple The Body in the Library, Blonde Bombshell, Scarlet Pimpernel and The Bare Necessities. Theatre credits include La Vie Parisienne, Godspell, Steve Coogan's show The Man Who Thinks He's It, and "Forbidden Love" (BBC TV triology in 1985) playing manservant to Oscar Wilde (Michael Gambon).

Tonioli's other television credits include Ab Fab (2003), French & Saunders Christmas Special, The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon (winner of the silver rose at Montreaux 1997), Ghosts of Oxford Street, The BRIT Awards (1988, 1990, 1991), many Top of the Pops, three Royal Variety Performance shows, Miss World (1998-1999), and the Australian edition of Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge.

In the U.S., he has appeared on numerous talk shows including Larry King Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The View, Live with Regis & Kelly, Rachael Ray, The Soup, and "Chelsea Lately".

[edit] Personal life

Born in Ferrara, Italy, Tonioli is fluent in Italian, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.^[1] Tonioli is gay, and has spoken of the homophobic bullying he suffered in his youth.^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Judges' biography at BBC Strictly Come Dancing site
• Biography at ABC Dancing with the Stars site
• Biography at TV.com
• Bruno Tonioli at the Internet Movie Database

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