Age, Biography and Wiki

Willi Ninja (William Roscoe Leake) was born on 12 April, 1961 in New Hyde Park, New York, U.S., is an American dancer and choreographer (1961–2006). Discover Willi Ninja's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 45 years old?

Popular As William Roscoe Leake
Occupation Dancer choreographer
Age 45 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 12 April, 1961
Birthday 12 April
Birthplace New Hyde Park, New York, U.S.
Date of death 2 September, 2006
Died Place New York City, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 12 April. He is a member of famous Dancer with the age 45 years old group.

Willi Ninja Height, Weight & Measurements

At 45 years old, Willi Ninja height not available right now. We will update Willi Ninja's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Willi Ninja Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Willi Ninja worth at the age of 45 years old? Willi Ninja’s income source is mostly from being a successful Dancer. He is from United States. We have estimated Willi Ninja's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Dancer

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Timeline

1814

Ninja also danced in two of Janet Jackson's videos from her album Rhythm Nation 1814, one of which was "Alright", whose remix featured late rap star Heavy D and cameo appearances by Cab Calloway, Cyd Charisse, and The Nicholas Brothers.

He also was featured in "Escapade".

Ninja worked hard to care for his mother, Esther Leake, who had Parkinson's and used a wheelchair.

Her trips with Ninja to the ballet and the Apollo were inspiration for his later endeavors in dance.

1961

William Roscoe Leake (April 12, 1961 – September 2, 2006), better known as Willi Ninja, was an American dancer and choreographer known for his appearance in the documentary film Paris Is Burning.

Ninja specialized in voguing and was a fixture of ball culture at Harlem's drag balls who took inspiration from sources as far-flung as Fred Astaire and the world of haute couture to develop a style of dance and movement.

He caught the attention of Paris Is Burning director Jennie Livingston.

The film served as a springboard for Ninja.

He parlayed his appearance into performances with a number of dance troupes and choreography gigs.

1982

Ninja started the House of Ninja in 1982, despite not having been part of a house previously or winning three grand prizes, which was generally seen as a requirement to start a house.

The name Ninja came from the house's Asian and martial arts influences, coupled with the fact that people in the ballroom scene did not know who they were.

The House of Ninja had a reputation for being multiracial.

Except for the Latino House of Xtravaganza, most houses at the time were African-American.

Ninja starred in a handful of films and television series.

1989

In 1989, Ninja starred in the music video for Malcolm McLaren's song "Deep in Vogue", which sampled the then-unfinished movie.

1990

Ninja was also prominently featured in the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning and the 2006 documentary release How Do I Look, directed by Wolfgang Busch.

1991

On August 8, 1991, he was a guest on The Joan Rivers Show alongside some of his Paris Is Burning cast members, such as Dorian Corey and Pepper LaBeija.

Jennie Livingston also starred.

In the episode, the cast talked about the docufilm and encouraged audience members to "walk" as if a participant at a Drag Ball.

In the same year, Ninja starred in the Marlon Riggs 9-minute short Anthem as a dancer.

1994

In 1994, he released his single "Hot" (another Masters At Work production) on Nervous Records.

Ninja's later career included runway modeling for Jean-Paul Gaultier, performing with dance companies under Karole Armitage, and providing instruction to Paris Hilton on perfecting her walk.

2004

He opened a modeling agency, Elements of Ninja, in 2004, and made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

2006

Ninja was a member of the LGBT community who died of AIDS complications in 2006.

Born at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, Willi was a self-taught dancer and was perfecting his voguing style by his twenties.

Willi was born to a black mother and was of mixed racial ancestry, claiming to have Irish, Cherokee, and Asian ancestors.

It was from fellow voguers in Washington Square Park that Jennie Livingston first heard his name.

While he did not create the form, he worked at refining it with clean, sharp movements to "an amazing level".

His influences included Kemetic hieroglyphics, young Michael Jackson, Fred Astaire, Olympic gymnasts, and Asian culture.

He participated in Harlem's drag balls with "children" from his House of Ninja.

Like other ball houses, the House of Ninja was a combination of extended social family and dance troupe, with Ninja as its Mother.

He taught his children late into the night on the old Christopher Street pier and at the underground clubs.

Ninja was a featured dancer in many music videos including Malcolm McLaren's "Deep in Vogue" and "I Can't Get No Sleep" by Masters At Work featuring India.

Ninja died of AIDS-related heart failure in New York City on September 2, 2006.

Since his death, he has been a figure in art and music DJs.

Ninja is also a figure in LGBTQ studies, gender studies, and performance studies for his nonconforming and transgressive gender expression as an artist.

Ninja was honored in a Google Doodle on June 9, 2023.

2012

Ninja also appeared posthumously in 2012 documentary, Check Your Body at the Door.