Born in New York City, New York, Robert Banas knew he was destined to dance by the age of five. At the age of nine his father arranged ballroom dance lessons where he earned a scholarship to Children's Ballet Company and also attended the Hollywood Professional School. He made his uncredited screen debut in 1952's Has Anybody Seen My Gal? in which he danced the Charleston. In 1961 he's remembered for playing the role of Joyboy, a member of the Jets street gang, in the original West Side Story movie. In his later years, he became both a choreographer and dance teacher.
Robert Banas died of pneumonia at the age of 90.
