Judith Jamison, a graceful, long-limbed dancer who rose to international stardom in the 1970s, succeeded Alvin Ailey as the leader of his namesake troupe and helped sustain the company as a barrier-breaking force in modern dance,

Judith Jamison, an award winning dancer and former artistic director of the historic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has died at 81.

Renowned dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison died Saturday after a brief illness, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater announced. She was 81.