Christopher Ciccone—dancer, artist, designer and younger brother of pop icon Madonna—died Friday (Oct. 4) at his home in Michigan after battling cancer. He was 63 years old.
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Christopher Ciccone Was Instrumental In His Sister’s Career
Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone) is arguably one of the biggest stars in pop history. However, she didn’t hoard all the artistic genes in her family.
A professional dancer, Christopher Ciccone began his career with the Canadian contemporary dance company Le Groupe de la Place Royale. He was right beside his older sister as her career began taking off in the ’80s, performing as one of her dancers. Ciccone also appeared in the music video for Madonna’s 1983 hit “Lucky Star.”
As Madonna’s star rose, so did her brother’s. In 1990, Ciccone served as the art director for her legendary Blond Ambition World Tour. Some have credited the 57-show spectacle for “changing the pop-culture landscape.” (Even if this is the first time you’re hearing of it, you’ve likely seen pictures of the infamous cone bra.)
Three years later, Christopher Ciccone was the tour director for The Girlie Show, supporting Madonna’s fifth studio album Erotica. He also directed music videos for Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett.
[RELATED: 10 Iconic Moments From Madonna’s Career]
In 2008, Ciccone made headlines with his New York Times best-selling autobiography Life With My Sister Madonna. He detailed their complicated relationship, along with anecdotes from their time on tour together. An interior designer, Ciccone also designed Madonna’s homes in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, according to The Guardian.
Madonna Remembers Her Younger Brother
Although the longtime professional proximity put a strain on the siblings’ relationship, Christopher Ciccone said in 2012 that he was in contact with Madonna. “I don’t work for her, and it’s better this way,” he said.
The “Material Girl” singer, 66, called their brother-sister bond “hard to explain” in a lengthy social media message.
“But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo,” she wrote in the Oct. 6 post. “We took each other‘s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood.”
“There will never be anyone like him,” the seven-time GRAMMY winner concluded. “I know he’s dancing somewhere.”
Featured image by Steve Meddle/Shutterstock
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