Willi Ninja, known as the Godfather of Voguing and Mother of the House of Ninja, was an instrumental figure in the New York black gay ballroom scene of the 1980s. Although voguing originated in Harlem in the early 1930s, it remained underground until the 1980s when Willi brought visibility to the art form and elevated it to what it is today.

The world was introduced to Willi when he starred in the 1990 award-winning documentary “Paris Is Burning,” which provided an introspective into the New York vogue-ball scene. Willi was also featured in Malcolm McLaren’s “Deep in Vogue” music video and later served as the inspiration for Madonna’s music video “Vogue.”

A self-taught artist, not only did he work under famous choreographers, he also instructed models and socialites how to walk and strike a pose for the paparazzi. Willi taught voguing from New York to Europe to Japan. The likes of Naomi Campbell have Ninja to thank for early career pointers. Even Paris Hilton has Willi to thank for her now signature sashay.

A staunch advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness, Willi passed away from AIDS-related heart failure in New York in 2006 at the age 45. “He was a great cultural influence to me and hundreds of thousand of other people,” said Madonna when she learned of his death.

Gone but never forgotten.

Willi was recognized at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards with the OUTmusic Icon award.

Check out video of Willi in Paris Is Burning and a video tribute by the House of Ninja below…