Mikhail Baryshnikov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mikhail Baryshnikov
|
|
|---|---|
| Михаил Барышников | |
Baryshnikov in 2017
|
|
| Born | January 27, 1948 Riga, Soviet Union
|
| Citizenship |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Lisa Rinehart
(m. 2006) |
| Partner(s) | Jessica Lange (1976–1982) |
| Children | 4, including Shura and Anna |
Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov (born January 27, 1948) is a world-famous dancer, choreographer, and actor from Latvia and the United States. Many people consider him one of the greatest male classical ballet dancers of all time. He was a huge star in the 1970s and 1980s and later became a successful director for dance companies.
Born in Riga, which was then part of the Soviet Union, Baryshnikov started his career at the famous Kirov Ballet. However, he wanted more artistic freedom. In 1974, he made the brave decision to leave the Soviet Union and move to Canada. This move, known as a defection, allowed him to work with choreographers in the West.
After moving, he danced with the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet. He learned new styles and became known for his incredible skill and stage presence. Baryshnikov also started his own dance projects to support modern dance. He became a household name not just for ballet, but also for his acting in movies and on TV. He became a U.S. citizen in 1986 and was also granted citizenship by Latvia in 2017 for his amazing contributions to the arts.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the 1977 movie The Turning Point. He also starred in the popular film White Nights and appeared in the final season of the TV show ... and the City.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Mikhail Baryshnikov was born in Riga, in what was then the Latvian SSR, part of the Soviet Union. Today, it is the country of Latvia. His parents were Russian. His father, Nikolay, was an engineer, and his mother, Alexandra, was a dressmaker.
Baryshnikov has said his father was a strict man. It was his mother who introduced him to the world of theater, opera, and ballet. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was 12 years old.
A Legendary Dancing Career
1960–1974: Becoming a Star in the Soviet Union
Baryshnikov began studying ballet in Riga in 1960 when he was 12. Four years later, he was accepted into the famous Vaganova School in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg). He quickly became a top student, winning a major international ballet competition.
In 1967, he joined the Mariinsky Ballet (then called the Kirov Ballet), one of the best ballet companies in the world. Choreographers (people who create dances) were so impressed by his talent that they created special ballets just for him. Even then, a famous critic from The New York Times called him "the most perfect dancer I have ever seen."
1974: Defection to the West
Although he was very talented, Baryshnikov faced challenges. At 5' 5" tall, he was shorter than most male ballet dancers. This sometimes meant he was given smaller roles.
More importantly, he felt limited by the strict, traditional style of Soviet ballet. He wanted to work with modern choreographers in the West. So, on June 29, 1974, while on tour in Toronto, Canada, Baryshnikov made a life-changing choice. He secretly arranged to leave his tour group and asked Canada for political asylum, which is protection given by a country to someone who has left their home country. He never returned to the Soviet Union.
His first performance after this was with the National Ballet of Canada. He then moved to the United States, where he was free to explore new styles of dance.
1974–1978: American Ballet Theatre
From 1974 to 1978, Baryshnikov was a principal dancer (a top-ranking dancer) with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). There, he danced with another famous dancer, Gelsey Kirkland. He worked with many different choreographers, including Alvin Ailey and Twyla Tharp, mixing classical ballet with modern dance moves.
1978–1979: New York City Ballet
In 1978, Baryshnikov joined the New York City Ballet to work with the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Balanchine was known for his unique "neoclassical" style, and Baryshnikov wanted to learn from him directly.
Balanchine coached him in famous ballets like Apollo and The Prodigal Son. Baryshnikov's performances were a huge success. He stayed with the company for 18 months before leaving to recover from some injuries.
1980–2002: Leading Dance Companies
In 1980, Baryshnikov returned to the American Ballet Theatre, but this time as its artistic director. He was in charge of the whole company, choosing the ballets and guiding the dancers. He held this job until 1989.
From 1990 to 2002, he led the White Oak Dance Project, a company he started with choreographer Mark Morris. This project was special because it created new dances for older, experienced dancers.
2002–Present: Baryshnikov Arts Center
In 2005, Baryshnikov opened the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. It is a place where artists from all over the world can come to create and perform new work in dance, music, and theater.
He has continued to perform around the world and has received many awards for his lifetime of achievement in dance, including the National Medal of Arts in 2000.
Career in Film, TV, and Theater
Baryshnikov is not just a dancer; he is also a talented actor.
Acting in Movies and on TV
In 1977, he starred in the movie The Turning Point as a Russian ballet star. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination. In 1985, he co-starred in the film White Nights with actor and tap dancer Gregory Hines.
On television, he is well known for playing Aleksandr Petrovsky, an artist who dates Carrie Bradshaw in the final season of ... and the City. He also hosted a children's TV series called Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood.
Performing on Stage
Baryshnikov has also performed in plays. In 1989, he starred on Broadway in Metamorphosis, a play based on a famous story by Franz Kafka. His performance was so good that he was nominated for a Tony Award. He continues to act in plays in theaters around the world, often choosing interesting and challenging roles.
Personal Life
.jpg)
Baryshnikov has a daughter, Aleksandra "Shura" Baryshnikova (born in 1981), from his relationship with actress Jessica Lange.
He is married to former ballerina Lisa Rinehart. They have been together for many years and have three children. They officially married in 2006.
On July 3, 1986, Baryshnikov became a citizen of the United States. In 2017, the country of his birth, Latvia, also granted him citizenship to honor his extraordinary life and connection to the country.
True Russia Foundation
In March 2022, Baryshnikov, along with writer Boris Akunin and economist Sergey Guriyev, started the True Russia foundation. The organization was created to help victims of the war in Ukraine. Baryshnikov spoke out against the invasion and wrote an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The foundation has raised money to provide aid and also works to promote Russian culture and art.
Awards and Honors
Mikhail Baryshnikov has won many awards throughout his career. Here are a few of them:
- Gold medals at major international ballet competitions (1966, 1969)
- Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (1977)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2000), one of the highest honors for an artist in the U.S.
- National Medal of Arts (2005)
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award (2022), a top honor in the world of ballet.
- Honorary degrees from several universities, including New York University and the University of Southern California.
Filmography
Baryshnikov has appeared in many films and television specials.
Famous Film Roles
- The Turning Point (1977)
- White Nights (1985)
- Dancers (1987)
- Company Business (1991)
- Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
Famous Television Appearances
- The Nutcracker (1977)
- Baryshnikov on Broadway (1980)
- ... and the City (2003-2004)
- Stories from My Childhood (Host, 1997)
See also
In Spanish: Mijaíl Barýshnikov para niños
- List of dancers
