Baryshnikov, Mikhail, 1948-

Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948- ) is a Russian-American dancer, choreographer and actor. Born in Riga, he received his early training at the Vaganova Academy in Leningrad. He joined the Kirov ballet in 1967. Recognizing his talent, Soviet choreographers soon began creating works for him. In 1974 while on tour with the Bolshoi ballet, Baryshnikov moved to Canada and joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. After appearing as a guest artist with several companies, he began dancing with the New York City Ballet under Balanchine. He also danced with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), and in 1980 he became the artistic director of ABT, a post he held for ten years.

Baryshnikov's acting credits include the films Turning Point (1977) and White Nights (1985), many television specials, and theatrical turns in Metamorphasis (1989), Forbidden Christmas (2004) and Paris (2007) among others.

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