
Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov (born January 27, 1948) is a Soviet-born Russian American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. 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 moved to New York to dance 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.

Great Performances
TV • 1971

Sex and the City
TV • 1998

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
TV • 1975

Le Grand Échiquier
TV • 1972

Today
TV • 1952

American Masters
TV • 1986

The Kennedy Center Honors
TV • 1978

The American Film Institute Salute to ...
TV • 1973

Iconoclasts
TV • 2005

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
MOVIE • 2014

Doll & Em
TV • 2014

Top Model po-russki
TV • 2011

White Nights
MOVIE • 1985

Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens
MOVIE • 2007

The White Helicopter
MOVIE • 2024

That's Dancing!
MOVIE • 1985

The Turning Point
MOVIE • 1977

Babilée '91
MOVIE • 1992