Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov was a Russian-American ballet dancer who choreographed several landmark works, making him one of the 20th century's finest ballet performers. Mikhail Baryshnikov was born in 1948 and paved the way for multidisciplinary and modern dance.

Mikhail Baryshnikov defected to the West in June, while on tour with the Bolshoi, and became a major dancer with the New York City Ballet. During his stint at the company, he worked with George Balanchine's Russian movement style. He went on to become the creative director of the American Ballet Theatre, where he oversaw a number of his own artistic endeavors. He was a co-founder of the White Oak Dance Project in 1990. Mikhail Baryshnikov is currently a well-known and award-winning artist who has made significant contributions to dance, choreography, theatre, and television.

Born: January 27, 1948 (age 73)

Nationality: Russian - American