Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov (Russian:Михаи́л Никола́евич Бары́шников; born January 27, 1948), nicknamed "Misha" (Russian diminutive of the name "Mikhail"), is a Russian born American dancer, choreographer, and actor born in the Soviet Union, 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.