Kent, Allegra (1937–)

American ballerina. Born Iris Margo Cohen in Santa Monica, California, Aug 11, 1937; dau. of Harry Herschel Cohen and Shirley (Weissman) Cohen; attended Professional Children's School, NY; briefly attended University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Utah; studied ballet at School of American Ballet; m. Bert Stern (photographer) Feb 28, 1959 (div. 1975); m. Bob Gurney; children: (1st m.) Trista, Susannah, and Bret.

At 18, achieved ballerina status with Balanchine's New York City Ballet and remained a principal there for 3 decades; studied with a variety of teachers, including Bronislava Nijinska, Carmelita Maracci and Maria Befeke; at 13, moved to NY; became a permanent member of New York City Ballet (1953) and gained 1st public notice with the Viola pas des deux in Fanfare (1954); danced a leading role in Divertimento No. 15 in Stratford, CT (1956); gaining status as a full-fledged ballerina, danced solo roles in Serenade, Souvenirs and Western Symphone; also performed in Valse Fantasy, Interplay, Concerto Barocco, Symphony in C and Pastorale (1957); appeared in Broadway musical Shinbone Alley (1957), then returned to New York Ballet, dancing memorably as the Countess in The Unicorn, the Dragon and the Manticore, and Afternoon of a Faun; continued to expand repertoire with performances as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, the novice in The Cage, leader of the Bacchantes in Orpheus, Terpsichore in Appolo, and the pas de deux in Agon; reached zenith of career as Annie II in The Seven Deadly Sins (1959); created another memorable portrayal as the Sleepwalker in La Sonnambula (1960); won acclaim in Bugaku and The Chase (1963), and Sylvia Divertissement (1965); retired from New York City Ballet (1982); became director of a ballet school in Stamford, CT; appeared as Cousin Ophelia in film The Addams Family.

See also autobiography Once a Dancer…. (St. Martin, 1997); and Women in World History.