Bruno Tonioli’s Age: A Choreography of His Success
Bruno Tonioli must be one of the most recognizable TV personalities, but what age do you think he is? He’s been around since the very first Strictly Come Dancing series and doesn’t look to have aged a day.
So how old can he be? Old enough to be fluent in 5 different languages, apparently!
Keep reading as we cha-cha-chart our way through the choreographer’s success. You might be surprised to learn about exactly what Judge Bruno Tonioli has achieved from a young age!
In the Beginning
Bruno Tonioli was born into a modest family in Ferrara, Italy. Father Werther drove buses. His mother, Fulvia, stitched the upholstery for car seats among other things.
Today we know the Strictly star for his dazzle and swagger. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. But his beginnings were humble, and he had to work hard to get to where he is today.
This is what he told Italy Magazine:
“My parents came from farming families. They had to work extremely hard because they grew up during the war. They had an incredible work ethic. I remember they always had two jobs. My mum was cooking, cleaning, washing. So they gave me this very grounded, you have to work for what you have, solid, peasant [outlook] – peasant but in a good way.”
A Career is Made
At the age of just 17, Tonioli knew the world of dance was for him. He went to see the musical Cabaret (1972) 8 times in a row. It sounds like he was pretty keen!
From that moment on, Tonioli would devote his life to the stage.
He quickly moved to Rome to study ballet. This came against his parents’ wishes – they wanted him to work in a bank instead! For once, it sounds like the mother didn’t know best.
At just 18, Tonioli left Rome. He would perform with Paris-based dance company La Grand Eugene.
Then, as many artists do, he settled in London. It was a big move for Bruno Tonioli, and at such a young age! Even today, he still loves London, as he told the Guardian:
“Once I moved to London I thought it was unbeatable. I work a lot in LA and love it, but would never give up London. It’s a true world city, with an energy that’s unique.”
A Choreography of Bruno Tonioli’s Success
In 1980s London, Tonioli joined the Lindsay Kemp Company. He would go on to work as a freelance dancer, where he worked extensively!
In 1983, Tonioli featured in the music video for I’m Still Standing by Elton John. But he wasn’t done with music videos, or with the music industry!
He would quickly get involved with production as well. That’s when things really took off.
Tonioli produced and choreographed music videos and productions for some of the biggest names in music. The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury and more. Each of them had music videos choreographed by Tonioli.
He was such a talented choreographer, that many artists also asked him to choreograph their tours as well.
It sounds like Bruno Tonioli was incredibly busy at such a young age, no? Amazingly, he found time for even more work.
The talented choreographer must have become a little bored with music videos. So, he made his way into TV and film.
His first big break came when he choreographed Minnie Driver in Ella Enchanted. Around the same time, he would also help produce Absolutely Fabulous.
But Tonioli was developing quite a reputation. His work took him overseas, even though he remained a London resident. He was involved with The BRIT Awards, Top of the Pops and Larry King Live as he slowly moved toward a career in TV.
That was confirmed when he appeared as a guest judge on Australian dance show Dancing With the Stars. It would be a sign of things to come.
A Strictly Star in the Making
Strictly Come Dancing – the incredibly popular UK dance reality show – began in 2004. And when it did, Bruno Tonioli became Judge Bruno Tonioli.
Today, he and Craig Revel Horwood are the only two remaining judges from the first series.
And they aren’t the only celebrities enjoying a run on contestant shows.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2019 judging panel features Tonioli, Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas.
Tonioli is now best known for his role on the Saturday night show. The Strictly Come Dancing judge always entertains viewers with his brazen, lively approach.
Though, sometimes even he gets it wrong. Check out this hilarious blunder from last year, when he was judging the performance of Stacey Dooley and boyfriend Kevin Clifton.
So What is Bruno Tonioli’s age?
All of this and we haven’t even told you the age of Bruno!
The talented Italian was born on November 25th, 1955. We’ll bet that’s a surprise!
That means that during this 2019 season of Strictly Come Dancing, Tonioli will turn 64. Hopefully, we look as good as he does in our sixties!
