Michael Peters (choreographer) facts for kids

Michael Douglas Peters (born August 6, 1948 – died August 29, 1994) was a very talented African American choreographer and director. He is famous for creating amazing dance moves in music videos.

Early Life of Michael Peters

Michael Douglas Peters was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on August 6, 1948. His father was African American and his mother was Jewish. When he was only 4 years old, his mother signed him up for his first dance class. This was because he loved to dance all the time around their house!

Michael was inspired by big Broadway musicals like My Fair Lady and West Side Story. These shows made him want to work in performing arts. He grew up in a neighborhood in Brooklyn where he saw gang conflicts. These experiences later helped inspire some of his dance ideas.

After seeing West Side Story, Michael decided he really wanted to be a dancer. He went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts for four years. Even though he was very smart, Michael didn't enjoy school much. He later left school to focus on his passion. He kept dancing at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Queens, New York.

Michael Peters' Professional Career

At the start of his career, Michael Peters was a featured dancer in many Broadway shows. Some of these shows included The Wiz, Raisin, and Me and Bessie. He also danced with famous modern dance choreographers. These included Talley Beatty, Alvin Ailey, and Fred Benjamin.

Michael Peters had his first big success in 1975. He created the dance moves for Donna Summer's song "Love to Love You Baby". This was a huge step for him. Later, he became a pioneer in commercial dance. He choreographed for many popular music videos.

Some of his most famous work includes:

• Lionel Richie's "Hello"
• Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield"
• Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Beat It"

Michael Peters was one of the first choreographers to become well-known just for music videos. People even called him the "Balanchine of MTV". This was because he knew exactly what would look great on screen.

Peters as a Dancer and Director

Michael Peters didn't just choreograph music videos; he also appeared in them as a dancer!

• In "Beat It", he played the rival gang leader who danced in all white.
• In "Hello", he was the one who taught Lionel Richie's blind date how to dance.
• He also had a short appearance in "Love is a Battlefield".
• He danced in Lionel Richie's "Running with the Night".

Peters also choreographed for Diana Ross's big concert in Central Park in July 1983. He continued to work with Ross, dancing in her videos "Manic" and "Pieces of Ice".

Michael Peters also helped Angela Bassett prepare for her role as Tina Turner in the 1993 movie What's Love Got to Do with It. He choreographed for other films too, such as Sister Act 2, The Mambo Kings, and Sarafina.

His choreography also appeared in TV specials like "Head of the Class". In 1985, Peters directed his first Broadway musical, "Leader in Pack". He also directed episodes for TV shows like "New Kids on the Block", "Knots Landing", "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", and "A Different World".

In 1993, Michael Peters started working to get more recognition for choreography in films. He began a campaign to create an Oscar award specifically for choreography. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, on August 29, 1994, when he was 46 years old.

Awards and Nominations

Michael Peters won several important awards for his amazing work:

• 1982 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Dreamgirls
• 1987 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography – Liberty Weekend
• 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography – The Jacksons: An American Dream
• 1994 American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Feature Film – What's Love Got to Do with It