**Jerome Robbins (1918-1998)** was an American choreographer and director whose influence on cinema, though concentrated, was monumental. His film career is inextricably linked to **_West Side Story_ (1961)**.

Co-directed with Robert Wise, this revolutionary musical earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. The film is renowned for its seamless integration of dance and storytelling, a hallmark of his style. Robbins brought his innovative vision to the big screen, combining classical ballet with elements of modern dance and street dance to express the social tensions and emotional conflicts of the characters.

Although _West Side Story_ was his sole film directing credit, his impact on the Hollywood musical genre was profound, setting new standards for the use of dance as a narrative and dramatic vehicle.