Friday, January 14, 2011

Ode to the Man in the Green Shirt


We all know Grease it's a classic piece of American cinema, but what you may look over every time you have ever watched it is quite possibly the greatest character in the movie. When asked the question who is the most memorable actor in this movie many of you may say John Travolta, Olivia John-Newton, or Jeff Conaway. I however have a much different opinion. The actor I am refering to as the greatest in this movie is Daniel Levans. You may be thinking to yourself who the FUCK is Daniel Levans, and I promise you after you find out how brilliant of a mind he has for entertainment you will have the same opinion as me. He is a background dancer for the movie and for the most part would be forgettable if it weren't for the final song. I watch the entire movie in anticipation for the final scene where I get to see Mr. Levans have his time to shine. He is wearing a green shirt in this scene and is very easy to point out. Once you notice him once it is a game to find him again. He may possibly be one of the greatest entertainers on the planet, and when I say that I am speaking 100% TRUTH. Below I will leave you a video of one of the greatest men who has ever graced a movie screen.
DANIEL LEVANS

Wait for the 1 and a half minute mark to be dazzled and amazed!

54 comments:

  1. Truly magnificent. This has pushed my rating of this movie up a star. That's right, Grease is not a 6 out or 5 stars movie.

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  2. I have long tried to find out the name of this dancer. You're absolutely right - once you see him, you look for him everywhere. Thank you for helping me find out his name. Do you know anything else about him?

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  3. I agree with you 100 percent. Dan Levans is by far the most interesting person to watch in this movie. He is the most energetic dancer in the troupe, putting that extra touch to make him stand out on the screen. In the book Frenchy's Grease Scrapbook by Didi Conn there is a short write up about him.

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  4. si, antes de leer este articulo ya me habia fijado en el tipo, es el que le pone mas empeño y entusiasmo a todos los bailes en que sale en pantalla, es mas, cuando vemos la pelicula siempre hago la referencia a mis amigas y amigos que se fijen en el tipo de la polera verde y cuenten cuantas veces sale en pantalla, muy entretenido.
    excelente tu articulo

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  5. He was also Arnold, the choreographer in the Turning Point with Ann Bancroft and Shirley Mclaine. I knew his sister's family years ago and in person he was very quiet and reserved.

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  6. I think he was paired with that blond gal who many people saw looked like a young Betty White (It was the still hair.) Helena Andreyko was her name. There's also a very tall gal during the dance when Principal McGee is on stage who totally overdoes her ad libs. She looks like Brenda Strong.

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  7. I am 47 and just watched "Grease" on tv again for about the 50th+ time..it never gets boring, EVER...Since I have a dvr I can pause/rewind while watching..so for about 20 minutes I was rewinding and pausing scenes on 'the dancer in the green shirt'. This particular dancer who now because of your blog I have come to know as ( Daniel Levans) has always fascinated me, he totally stand outs and pretty much in my opinion steals the final scenes of the movie, I could not/cannot stop watching this guy, he is amazing, and as odd as this might sound, the dude makes me emotionally happy everytime I see him. I absolutely think he is brilliant...So happy now I decided to finally Google him and find out more about him and it is great to know others also find him super amazingly talented.. Kirk..Montreal, Canada Twitter: KirkInMontreal

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    1. I completely agree! Grease was just on television and in that final scene it became, once again all about the guy in the green shirt. And not odd at all because watching him makes me happy too.

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    2. I feel EXACTLY that way. My husband and call him the lead dancer -- the dancer in front who acts as the model for all others, not to mention he appears like 11 times in the movie. I never thought I could Google the man in the green 👕 and actually find him! Thanks so much!

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  8. I'm glad I finally found out who he is. My wife and I have watched this movie many many times over the years and have always commented on him, who we call, The Principle Dancer. He does a great job throughout, and yes, he does steal every scene he's in.

    I hope he's had the success he deserves.

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  9. Thank you so much for helping me identify this guy in the green shirt in the final scene of Grease, in the song "We Go Together". How ever I have searched for Daniel Levans all over the web but can't find an image of him. Can you help? Does he have a website or something?

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  10. and what of MOOSE..the wonderful and talented Sean Moran (imdb ) and his great scene deleted fighting in the prom...I mean I love Dan but he is just so skinny.!

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  11. Hey thanks for giving Mr Levans props--and an identity: I've always referred to him as "the Lou Diamond Phillips guy". I, too, look for him in every scene--it's like the Grease version of "Where's Waldo". Cheers:)

    -king

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  12. So... Apparently... I'm not the only weirdo around the web!

    Just caught the ending right now and finally decided on Googling up on the guy... it's funny to read about how others do the exact same thing as I do when I watch that final scene... i.e. basically focus on spotting the guy with the green shirt. I've noticed him a while back and I always enjoy watching him. I'm always a little nostalgic for the guy. Young and full of energy... but so many years ago.

    Good thing this page is just some low profile page lost in the vastness of the web... it might threaten my manhood ;)

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  13. Yes! My gf loves him! I think he is also in the hand jive scene wearing a blue shirt, but could be mistaken? Can anyone confirm?

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  14. He is my favorite part of this movie and remains to be the only reason I'll sit down to watch it. I watch in anticipation to see him in every scene and when he's wearing the green shirt, he makes life better. Thank you for posting this so I could figure out his name. :)

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  15. I never knew h=who he was but I always thought of him as The Groucho Marx dancer.
    Now to find out who Bernardo Hiller (Boy Greaser)'s hot blonde bombshell girlfriend was played by in Grease 2.

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  16. Mr. Levans (and yes, I still call him that because it would be weird for me not to) was my ballet teacher when I was little! I loved his classes and him as a person! He will forever be one of my favorite teachers of all time, and he was AWESOME in this film as well. Thank you for writing this!
    ~Christina
    TheDanceGrad.com
    ChriskaYoga.com

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  17. I wonder if Daniel has ever googled himself and happened upon this blog?
    He again popped into my mind after seeing Shirley MacLaine at the theater on Wednesday night. I met Daniel around 1988 when he worked part time at a business adjacent to my apt building on W 53rd. Ever the professional, always the gentleman. On my way home one day with a bag of video rentals, he asked what films I had. Several were new releases, with one being what I called "one of my all time personal favorites, The Turning Point". A strange, fleeting recognition showed on his face but other than that, silence. I took it to possibly be a wordless critique and left it at that. Several days later when I ran into him, his smirk betrayed what I now knew. We had what I considered a fascinating conversation about that film and his experiences. He never mentioned any of his other films which I suppose defines his humility. I find it amazing and heartwarming that I would stumble on a blog from 2011 that continues to have postings into 2015 about Daniel, his talent and his mentoring ....a true gem among stones. Perhaps, one day I will pass him on the street around Julliard or Ballet Tech...I hope I recognize him.

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    1. How interesting you posted this wonderful experience you had with him just a few months ago and I found out from a post of one of his cast mates, Sean Moran aka Moose from Grease that Daniel passed away this morning, and I too am one of many who always remembers his standout moment in Grease. Thanks for sharing this experience you had with him.

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  18. I love that when I googled Guy with green shirt that "in Grease" popped up. Watching Grease for about the 500th time, I finally had my laptop within reach and decided to do what I had always wanted.. find out about the green shirt guy. So amazing that all of you had the same thoughts. This post made my night.

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  19. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!! I have always wanted to know his name!! He is always the one I watch in the last dance scene! I am glad I am not the only one. Same goes for the short haired brunette in Dirty Dancing. Some extra's just know how to steal the scene.

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  21. Finally, the obituary he deserves appeared in The NYT this past Sunday. Amid all the cited prowess of his incredible ballet achievements is the boy in green from the Grease dance finale..."arguably stole the show from John Travolta and the movies other stars".
    While at the performance of NYCB's Swan Lake last evening, it was Daniel that I imagined in Prince Siegfried's portrayal....perhaps with that little Charlie Chaplin strut exiting stage left!

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  22. An unbelievable talent. I cannot believe I have the good fortune of finding out who this gentleman is, I had been searching for years. Mr. Levans is an inspiration and absolutely steals the show in Grease. May he rest in peace!

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  23. This is the only bit of his work that I know, but he brings me such joy in that final sequence in Grease. I am sad to hear of his passing. I had wondered for years who he was before deciding to actually Google it.

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  24. This is the only bit of his work that I know, but he brings me such joy in that final sequence in Grease. I am sad to hear of his passing. I had wondered for years who he was before deciding to actually Google it.

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  25. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/arts/dance/daniel-levins-classically-trained-ballet-dancer-dies-at-62.html?_r=0

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  26. I JUST SAW THE ARTICLE ABOUT HIS PASSING

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  27. I, too, am totally amazed that when I typed in 'Green Shirt Guy from Grease' that I finally, after all these years of him being my favourite part of that finale, found out who he was. Green shirt guy, I love watching your performance. Thanks for the memories. RIP.

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  28. I've just spent half An hour trying to find out who the guy in the green was. Oh my goodness , I'm so glad I found this post. He just transfixed me with his dancing. He is just magical. I want to watch it over and over. What a star. You're a legend Mr Levans and I hope you knew how much of a joy you were to watch.

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  29. I would like to say thank you to all of you for your comments. I knew the guy in the green shirt just as my uncle Dan, but I to look for him every time Grease is on and with pride so do my wife and children. Love and miss you.

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  30. I wish i had googled Daniel Levins before he passed away. He was my favourite in the finale of Grease I couldn't help looking for him in the green shirt Oh he was just magical Such a breath of life and natural showmanship I am sad he is gone but his legacy will live on forever ❤

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  31. You're all right. Totally steals one's attention. Makes you feel happy. Clearly hugely talented as shown by his subsequent career. Died far too young.
    I've found this thread weirdly reassuring!!

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  32. You have no idea how happy it has made me to find this page and you other fans. I am not alone!
    I just paused the film and googled every dancer listed in order to find out who he was. I adore this man (he'll always be 'The Lizard Man' to me because of his tongue thing behind the headteacher in the high school dance scene)
    I have loved him (for obvious and also non-lizard reasons) since I was a kid.... And old enough to think he was hot too! I never look at anyone else during the film!
    Thank you- all of you other fans- for not making me the only one who noticed and appreciated him!
    Sorry to hear he died and sorry to Ram and family.

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  33. Glad to have found this page. Just watched the movie again. Then searching the web for the guy in the green shirt. Dan Levins is a awesome dancer and he is the spitting image of my husband. We watch the movie over and over just to see him. He has since passed away. One of the best movies ever. Thanks!!!

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  34. This guy always stood out to me especially the last few times I’ve watch this movie over the past five or ten years. I actually just now paused my DVD so I could google-image every male dancer on the ending credits,, and Wala‘..
    He definitely stands out and brings life to all the background dancers.
    In fact, I’m going to get on the Ebay right now and trying to find myself a green shirt like that 👍🏼

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  35. I recall noticing Daniel while watching Grease during its original release. I was 13 years old. I actually began taking notice of him before the scene in which he imitates Groucho Marx. I guess some people just have that jenesequa. He obviously had it. No matter how short of a time he spent on screen he stood out. I've since read his biography, and was totally impressed at his resume. Becoming a professional ballet dancer at the age of 15 is no small undertaking. Every time I watch Grease I closely look to see if I possibly missed him in any scenes. I think I pretty much I know exactly where he is throughout the whole movie. But I always seem to hold out hope that I will see find him dancing in a scene that I missed since my previous 50 viewings of the movie. Thanks for sharing. Rest in peace Daniel. The Groucho Marx guy of Greece.

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    1. "Jenesequa," is more commonly written as known as "je n'est c'est quoi." This French phrase, used sometimes in English, literally means ”I don't know what" or ”something.” It refers to a indefinable or elusive quality or characteristic.

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  36. I am astonished that there are so many other people who took notice of "the green shirt guy" like I did so many years ago. I, too, would always wait for the final dance scene so that I could see him do his stuff. I'm not surprised to learn that he was a classically trained professional dancer. He does steal that final scene and there was two things about his performance have always caught me eye. The first is the way he dances with his back so ramrod straight. No surprise that he began as an Irish dancer. The second was that he seemed not to know or care that he was a "backup" dancer -- a so-called "extra."He gave his performance 110% and that's why he stands out.

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  37. I was Blessed to actually meet and get to know Dan as family and close friends called him. In he and his who he considered his father Mr. Thomas' home we were talking Ballet and I realized I was speaking to the Actor on The Turning Point, and the Front Dancer on Grease. He was so humble, so generous, kind and a Beautiful man. I was in awe, and he was just Dan, smiling and being all so humble.Yes, you are right, he does take the show and all eyes are on him or looking for him, he stood out in those movies and he stood out in his real life as a very special and wonderful person. As I said I was truly blessed to know him personally, as well as Mr. Thomas. I of course am saddened to tears when I just found out of his passing.God seems to have you meet Angel's and they stay with you forever. RIP DAN ,WITH LOVE AND RESPECT,NAN ( Daytona Bch. Fl.)

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  38. My little girl loves watching this film, as we watch as a family we always talk about ‘the green shirt man’ and always wondered who he was, today after finally googling we stumble across this group. He’s so intriguing and steals every scene! RIP Daniel you bought us a lot of joy!!

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  39. Little fact not known by many Daniel was a Miami Beach Police Officer for a short time. I also look for the green shirt everytime I watch this movie.

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  40. I noticed the exceptional vitality of this dancer.
    I was also a 70s dancer and I must say that Daniel is the best I've ever seen.

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    1. Where?
      I was also a dancer in the 70's
      I was on "Soul Train" when Van McCoy promoted his song, Do The Hustle. Back up for others artists. When you've been in that lifestyle, you have an eye for great dancers.

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  41. My sister and I have talked about this guy since we were kids. We used to try to copy his penguin dance. We've always said he's No 1 extra to steal the show in a movie. He should have had a main part!!! Im so glad there are others out there who appreciate this guy. 🤣 No 2 exrra that stole the show is the bell boy in pretty woman.

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  42. Mr. Levans was a scene stealer for sure...and not just one scene. I feel the same way as everybody else does. For being a tall and lanky man he had amazing agility as I was also fixated on him. The casting for Grease hit this one right on the head bringing this man aboard.

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  43. One of the greatest part of the movie is the male dancer in the green shirt.
    This is where I rewind a gazillion x's! He is mesmerizing & captivating, he draws you in. So intoxicating.
    So sorry he past in 2015. 😥

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