Top 10 Times Actors Learned a Difficult Dance for a Role

10 Times Actors Learned a Difficult Dance of a Role

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the times actors learned such challenging choreography for a role they could practically add Professional dancer to their resumes.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Despite Greys impressive skills, this is one of those times when art totally imitates life. Patrick Swayze had been dancing practically since birth, while Grey was still pretty green when it came to picking up the steps. And if youve ever worked with someone way less experienced, you know patience doesnt always win. Luckily, Swayze channeled that frustration into Johnny. According to Grey, that lift wasnt rehearsed, either. Shed been too scared to try it, so what we see is pretty much her first real attempt. She joked to The Guardian, I dont know how all these people who re-enact it have the guts to throw themselves into the arms of anyone other than Patrick Swayze.

The Greatest Showman (2017)

We cant talk about The Greatest Showman without mentioning the slick coordination between Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman, and Daniel Cloud Campos in The Other Side. But for this one, were taking things airborne. We already knew Zendaya could dance, but now she was flying. She did all her own aerial choreography, which meant building core strength, learning to move gracefully through the air, and trusting her partner wouldnt let her faceplant. On top of that, they had to move as one, syncing every spin and catch. What they pull off together is both breathtaking and emotional. A love story told through weightless motion and stunts that still make us gasp no matter how many times we watch it.

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Anyone whos seen this actor move knows hes got rhythmbut for Hail, Caesar!, he had to learn a whole new language: tap. As Burt Gurney, a Gene Kelly type, he performs a fast, full-length tap number... despite never having tapped before. What takes some dancers a decade to master, Tatum had to cram into just three months. His choreographer and teacher, Christopher Gattelli, didnt go easy on him either. Still, Tatum credits Gattelli for helping him push through what often felt like mission impossible. With tap, musicalitys everythingthose shoes dont lie. He said the hardest part was dancing on a table. He didnt want to fall off, but with that tempo, he couldnt afford to miss a beat, either.

La La Land (2016)

The golden age of entertainment gave us some of the most iconic dance routines in movie history, so trying to channel that style isnt for the faint-hearted. And as weve said before, tap is notoriously tough. The sound of the shoes means theres no hiding mistakes. For a while, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were rehearsing separatelypossibly because of their different levels of dance experience. Stone admitted it felt like a mind game, hearing how well her co-star was doing while she struggled just to get the basics down. But, as she (half) joked, once they were finally in the room together, she suddenly felt a lot better about her own skills.

Chicago (2002)

Of the three actors on the Chicago poster, only one had formal dance training. For the others, it was a whole new challenge. Richard Gere had to learn tap from scratch, and his loud frustration during rehearsals even became a running joke on set. Director Rob Marshall had hoped to tap into Renée Zellwegers cheerleading background, but as it turned out, she had virtually no dance experience. In just six weeks, she had to learn to sing and dance, and she treated the art as an extension of her acting skills. The fact that she keeps up effortlessly with Catherine Zeta-Jones speaks volumes. Fortunately, Marshall felt that her inexperience actually worked in her characters favor.

Fosse/Verdon (2019)

Anyone who knows Fosse knows how intricate his choreography is. Add Gwen Verdon to the mix, and youve got something in a league of its own. So when Michelle Williams stepped into Verdons jazz shoes, her work was cut out for her. After all, she was recreating some of the most iconic numbers in history. Choreographer and Fosse expert Dana Moore said they worked tirelessly to nail every nuance, just as Moore had once done with Fosse himself. Williams also took on a grueling schedule and admitted she often arrived on set full of doubtbut also with the belief that, somehow, it would come together. And if youve seen the series, you know it absolutely did.

Anchors Aweigh (1945)

While few could rival Ol Blue Eyes when it came to singing, dancing didnt come quite as naturally. Thankfully, he had one of Hollywoods best by his side: Gene Kelly. Kelly was known to be a tough teacher, but he admired Sinatras dedication, once saying he trained like a prizefighter. It probably helped that Kelly also choreographed the movies and could tailor steps to suit Sinatras strengths. Even so, it reportedly took eight weeks of practice and 72 takes to land the version we know and love. But watching him move so seamlessly next to a dance legend proves all that hard workand their undeniable chemistryabsolutely paid off. Youd never guess it didnt come easily.

Mary Poppins (1964) & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

No matter how many times we watch Mary Poppins, it still blows our minds that Dick Van Dyke danced like that with zero formal training. That number is nearly ten minutes long, seriously athletic, and yet he keeps up like he came out of the womb kicking his knees up. Apparently, as a young man, he based his workouts on Broadway dancers, which might explain his stamina but not his skillful rhythm and coordination. Still, if you asked him what the hardest routine of his career was, he'd point you elsewhere. Me Ol' Bamboo needed props, stamina, and serious teamwork. Apparently, it took 23 takes to nail, and by the last one, he said he practically made it through by the skin of his teeth.

Black Swan (2010)

Ballet blends athleticism, artistry, and endurance like almost nothing else. So when Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence took on ballet roles, they were not messing around. For Black Swan, Portman began training while still filming Your Highness. Shed spend two hours a day for six months on core strength, then add three-hour ballet classes for another six, followed by daily eight-hour choreography sessions. Portman had to channel the emotional weight Nina carries while still moving with the grace of a true dancer. By the time filming began, she mustve fully understood the pressure her character was under. Portman later described the process as intense but really fun, too. And it shows in every frame.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Actress Likened Her Feet to Raw Meat by the End of This Tiring 5 Day Shoot

Temple Only Had a Few Days to Learn Her Co-Stars Signature Dance, so He Taught Her the Stripped-Down Version Instead

Even the Great Tony Manero Needed a Few Pointers Getting the Choreo Spot On

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

This film is a full-blown downpour of tough choreography. Weve all heard about Debbie Reynolds grueling training under Gene Kellybut at least her story didnt end with a hospital stay! The Make Em Laugh number is brilliant but brutal. Donald OConnor hurls himself around the set like a human cartoon, pulling off stunts most of us wouldnt dare unless we fancied a trip to the ER. As the only performer in the scene, theres nowhere to hide. Then, thanks to a camera glitch, he had to do the entire thing again. And OConnor, who smoked like a chimney, powered through. Barely. He ended up in the hospital for a few days. The routines a masterpiecebut boy, did it cost him.

Have you seen a film or TV dance that looked impressively hard? Let us know in the comments