Executive producer, director, choreographer

Bob Talmage, an executive producer, director and choreographer, died March 25 of cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 59.

Talmage began his career as a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City; his mentors included George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp and Robert Joffrey. Within two years of Talmage joining the Joffrey, Robbins picked him to dance in Robbins’ ballet “Moves.”

In 1999 Talmage created, staged and choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies of the Woman’s World Cup, which featured performances by ‘N Sync and Jennifer Lopez. He most recently did the same for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, Alaska.

He conceived, produced and staged hundreds of shows for corporations including Nike and the National Football League.

He also staged award-winning commercials for Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Goodyear Tires. TV credits include work on the miniseries “War and Remembrance” plus stints in Paris and the BBC in London.

He additionally created and staged major concert tours and musicvideos for Don Henley, Steve Winwood, Chicago and the Commodores.

A memorial service will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday at 2201 Maravilla Drive in Los Angeles.