Mr. Arvin, 40, had been in a coma for exactly two years following complications from a heart procedure, his partner Kevin White told the paper. The dancer and actor had a 10-year history with Houston Ballet, for which he danced principal roles. For the Broadway revue, Fosse, he appeared in the ensemble and assisted choreographer Ann Reinking and consultant Gwen Verdon. He was the assistant dance captain, fight captain and a swing in the Christopher Wheeldon-choreographed Sweet Smell of Success in 2001-02.

Mr. Arvin toured with Chicago and a revival of Applause. He was one of the performers who helped develop the Twyla Tharp-Billy Joel musical Movin' Out in workshop, and appeared in the original Broadway cast.

Among his regional credits are productions of Phantom and Guys and Dolls for Theatre Under the Stars in Houston.

According to the Chronicle, survivors include his mother and stepfather, Anna and Bob Wright; his father, Kermit Arvin; and siblings Michael and Patrick Arvin and Robbie and Mary Wright.

The family requested donations to the Mark Arvin Memorial Scholarship Fund at Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy.

Checks should be written to the Houston Ballet Foundation, 1921 W. Bell, Houston, TX, 77019.