Michael Callan

Michael Callan (born Martin Calinoff November 22, 1935 – October 10, 2022), sometimes known as Mickey Collins, was an American actor best known for originating the role of Riff in West Side Story on Broadway, and for his film roles for Columbia Pictures, notably Gidget Goes Hawaiian, The Interns and Cat Ballou. Early life Born Martin Calinoff in Chester, Pennsylvania to a Jewish family, Callan grew up in Philadelphia, where his father was a restaurateur. Callan described him as "the only Jewish businessman in Philly to have two Italian restaurants." Callan began taking singing lessons at nine and dancing lessons at eleven. He appeared on the local show Horn and Hardardt's Children's Hour. By the age of fifteen, he was dancing in local night clubs. Two years later, Callan moved to New York City and performed under the name of "Mickey Calin". Broadway Callan's first big break came when he was cast in The Boy Friend (1954) starring Julie Andrews, and Catch a St ar (1955). He and his dance partner, Grace Genteel, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and Chance of a Lifetime.