Ray Hirsch obit

R.I.P Ray Hirsch, Great So-Cal “Swing” Dancer

 

He was not on the list.

Ray Hirsch, great original Southern California swing dancer, passed away at 94 years of age on Aug. 29, 2015.

Ray was a true “Swing” dancer as they would have called it — meaning, he didn’t do just one dance; he instead did any and every step swing music inspired, mixing the styles and moves of Shag, Balboa, Bal-Swing, Lindy, and the numerous wild tricks he and his partner Patty Lacey could think up. He especially loved performing in contests and films. (For instance, Mad Youth)

He spent the later years of his life traveling the world as a special guest at swing dance events, and was always known for being kind, excited, and in good spirits.

I first heard the news at the International Lindy Hop Championships, an event that celebrates the music and dancing he spent his life doing and its influence across the world.

The final night, Nick Williams and I gave a tribute to Ray over the microphone, ending by urging that Ray was not the kind of guy who would want people sad over his passing. So we instead encouraged the dancers to pay tribute to him by rolling up their pant legs, getting out onto the floor, and dancing any and every step they felt inspired to do.

The next time you’re on a dance floor, take a moment to do the same. The smile on your face will match Ray’s.

Ray Hirsch went dancing home on August 29, 2015 to his wife Betty. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1921 but it all began in Hollywood, dancing at the age of 12. Ray won the National Jitterbug Contest in 1938. He taught Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and others to dance and did movies with them and various artists in early days of the big screen.

He fought as a Marine in WWII in the Pacific campaign, including the liberation of the Philippines and battles of Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. After returning from the War, he did a few more movies in Hollywood before eloping with the love of his life of 67 years, Betty Biggs.

He has always entertained in a variety of venues- the St. Bernard Club, San Francisco Fashion Guild, and Mended Hearts since 1961. In 2008, he was inducted to the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. He was the humorous and larksome type and had endless interesting stories to tell. Ray loved his wife, children, life, Big Band, dance and dogs.

Ray is survived by three children: Rae Dawn, Radley (Paula), Jana (Jim), granddaughter: Larisa, step-granddaughters: Kasey and Sara, and great-grandchildren: Vincent Jr., Autumn and Alyvia.

Hirsch was born on February 6, 1921 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He was an actor, known for Her First Romance (1940), Mad Youth (1939) and Music with Spice (2023). He died on August 29, 2015 in San Rafael, California, USA.

Actor

John Garfield, Beatrice Pearson, and Marie Windsor in Force of Evil (1948)

Force of Evil

7.2

Newsboy (uncredited)

1948

 

John Carroll, Ruth Hussey, and Vera Ralston in I, Jane Doe (1948)

I, Jane Doe

7.0

Newsboy (uncredited)

1948

 

Susan Hayward, Frances Farmer, Harry Carey, and Albert Dekker in Among the Living (1941)

Among the Living

6.4

Jitterbug Dancer (uncredited)

1941

 

Her First Romance (1940)

Her First Romance

6.1

Student Butch

1940

 

Mad Youth (1939)

Mad Youth

5.0

Jitter Bug

1939

 

Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Penny Singleton in Blondie Meets the Boss (1939)

Blondie Meets the Boss

6.7

Jitterbug Dancer (uncredited)

1939