Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov (Russian: Михаи́л Никола́евич Бары́шников; born January 27, 1948),[1] nicknamed "Misha" (Russian diminutive of the name "Mikhail"), is a Russian dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers in history. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974 for more opportunities in western dance. After freelancing with many companies, he joined the New York City Ballet as a principal dancer to learn George Balanchine's style of movement. He then danced with the American Ballet Theatre, where he later became artistic director. Baryshnikov has spearheaded many of his own artistic projects and has been associated in particular with promoting modern dance, premiering dozens of new works, including many of his own. His success as a dramatic actor on stage, cinema and television has helped him become probably the most widely recognized contemporary ballet dancer. In 1977, he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe nomination for his work as "Yuri Kopeikine" in the film The Turning Point. Also, he was in the last season of Sex and the City.
Thank God for film!
Oh yeah, mike drop with goblets.
Some of his shoes were made by Ferragamo
He is breath taking
There is no one that comes close to him. I’m speechless every time I watch him 💕
Damn it’s just so beautiful I can’t even imagine the elation he felt after having defected and getting to have some freedom on any level I think it’s amazing I’m so brave what he and others did too defect and fully explore their untapped brave beautiful talent more than they ever knew that they could
The human body is amazing! cwS_aOwValU&t=3m43s 3:43 Doesn’t even look like his head is turning with his body!
I know crap about dancing and I can see that his technique is out of this world
Incroyable!
A tánc zsenije, hihetetlen erő , elegancia, könnyedség , pontosság , szorgalom
People who are not fans of ballet should have a new respect. I'm guessing any good ballet dancer should be able to do anyother style of dance. Whereas those from other styles might not be able to do ballet. :) Looks like it takes the most ability to do well.
I read recently that he studied gymnastics briefly before settling into ballet. Natalia Osipova also started out as a gymnast. They both seem to have that amazing precision in their movements and the ability to hang in the air.
I wonder what a physics expert would have to say about the near-impossible probability of these moves for muscle, bone and internal balance against centrifugal force and gravity?
Perfection!
The way he moves he doesn’t even look like he’s breaking a sweat. He makes it look that easy. The height he gets is amazing and he’s as light as a feather when he lands
Un vrai plaisir. MERCI.
he flies through the air with he greatest of ease
don q coda fouettés…. wow
I wish I experience watching him perform live