Boyishly cute, diminutive and strong as a bull, but as graceful as any gazelle or swan, Mikhail Baryshnikov is a household name even to non-balletomanes. Widely considered to be one of the greatest and biggest names in dance. Mikhail began his ballet studies in his native Riga, Latvia. He was accepted by the Leningrad Choreographic School, the associate school of the Kirov Ballet. One of his instructors there was 'Alexander Pushkin' , the great choreographer and ballet master of the early 20th century for his innovation within the art of modern ballet. Thus, in addition to his occasional casting in films, Baryshnikov applied to and became a student of the great Balanchine, learning his choreography styles, taking a sabbatical from the ABT. Mikhail danced "Prodigal Son" and numerous other ballets at NYCB under Balanchine's direction and continued with NYCB until he was offered the position of Artistic Director at ABT. He briefly resumed the role of principal dancer, but was forced to quit professional ballet due to injuries. In the 1990's, he co-founded the White Oak Dance Project, and in 2000 received a lifetime of achievement award at the Kennedy Center Honor Awards. Baryshnikov has been called the greatest male dancer of the 20th century and continues to dance, model and act, both in film and in the theater.
Ballet dancer turned actor
Father of four children. He lives with girlfriend Lisa Rinehart.
Following his defection in Canada, the first ballet troupe that he performed with was the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Mikhail was a 2000 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Center Honors.
Children by Lisa Rinehart : Peter Andrew (born 1989), Anna Baryshnikov (born May 22nd 1992) and Sofia-Luisa (born May 24th 1994).
Has his own clothing line: "Baryshnikov", plus his own perfume brand: "Misha".
Danced with the Kirov Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet.
Was artistic director with ABT and even ran his own class outside of ABT - Mikhail Baryshnikovs School of Classic Ballet.
Was romantically involved with legendary ballerinas Natalia Makarova and Gelsey Kirkland.
Frequently attended legendary New York disco Studio 54.
Was nominated for Broadways 1989 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for "Metamorphosis."
When he met Jessica Lange , he spoke little English. Fortunately for him, Lange spoke French, which he could speak fluently.
Daughter Shura (Aleksandra) Baryshnikov, whose mother is Jessica Lange , graduated from Marlboro College in Vermont, the same college that Chris Noth attended in the 70s.
He had a romantic relationship with fellow Soviet defector and prima ballerina assoluta Natasha Makarova. She was eight years his senior. She ended it because of this fact and when she needed him back as a sympathetic shoulder to cry on, Baryshnikov was already involved with another young ballerina named Gelsey Kirkland.
His name in English means "Michael."
He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 2000 by the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington D.C.
He appeared in three of the ballet programs which were Emmy-nominated for "Outstanding Classical Program in the Performing Arts" in the same year - "Giselle", "American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House", and "The Nutcracker". "Giselle" was the one that took home the Emmy, but "The Nutcracker" remains the one that has most often been shown and is consistently the most popular. The other two have not even been released on video or DVD, due to a royalties dispute about all "Live From Lincoln Center" programs.
His and Jessica Lange s daughter is Aleksandra (born 1981).
Hobby is golf.
Owner of ballet troupe, "White Oak Dance Project".
Taught by ballet instructor Bella Kovarsky when he was a child.
(December 2007) Appearing in dramatic roles in a series of one-act plays by Samuel Beckett, at the New York Theater Workshop.
He was Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theatre from 1980 to 1989, until they fired his right-hand man Charles France. Baryshnikovs successor was Kevin McKenzie.
Enjoys fishing.
Is a fan of cigars.
He has been called "The Nijinsky of his time". He is especially like Vaslav Nijinsky as both of them are Russian with a short height and stocky muscular physique and especially developed leg strength. Also the two of them did especially take the world by storm with their dancing careers.
During his ballet days, he danced in the style of "bravura".
He was named "Premier Danseur Noble" at a remarkably young age.
Back when he was first accepted into the Kirov Ballet, he was so short and talented, he was allowed to skip the corps completely. They immediately made him a soloist.
Although he has been compared to Vaslav Nijinsky, he refused the title role in the 1980 bio-pic "Nijinsky". He has agreed to take on the role in the play of his life "Letter to a Man".
I am not the first straight dancer, nor the last.
I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance,better than myself.
The essence of all art is to have pleasure in giving pleasure.
Dancers are made, not born.
I get a lot of letters from college students who say they saw me in Sex,and the City and then saw some videos, read some books or something.
I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance better than myself.
The problem is not making up the steps but deciding which ones to keep.
Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun.
I was not extremely patriotic about Mother Russia. I played their game, pretending. You have to deal with, you know, party people, KGB. Horrifying.
Dances have a second and third life. You feel they are never ready. They always have a chance for another life.
My mother had a son from previous marriage and her husband died in Second World War. .
