[1][2] Wallace Bean Potts was born in Birmingham, Alabama, soon after the end of World War II, into a family of English descent.
Nureyev was ten years older, an international star of the ballet renowned for his technical prowess, smoldering Tatar looks, and strong personality.
During his years with Nureyev, Potts had opportunities to work in various capacities for such well-known film directors as Pier Paolo Pasolini, Mike Nichols, and James Bridges.
The result is an exhaustive record of Nureyev as dancer and man, now available in both the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and in the Centre national de la danse in Paris.
[9] Wallace Potts died of complications of lymphoma in 2006 in a hospital in Los Angeles, California, He was only 59 years old, He was mourned by many as a remarkable friend.