 In 1952 he was accepted into the corps de ballet Paris Opera Ballet, but in 1958 he had to join the military.Upon the completion his military service, he came back and successfully auditioned for a "Premier Danseur" (First soloist) position after only one week of training.He was promoted to "Danseur Étoile" (principal dancer) approximately one year later, after André Malraux saw him dance "Pas de Dieux", a choreography by Gene Kelly, and recommended he be promoted.