Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov, nicknamed "Misha", is a Latvian-born Russian-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...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionDancer
Date of Birth27 January 1948
CityRiga, Latvia
CountryUnited States of America
I read Russian literature a lot.
I have some Russian friends. But probably only 10 percent. I don't hang out usually in the big Russian communities in Brooklyn and New Jersey.
I have been very lucky to work in so many new ballets, but that is what a dancer's work is.
I go a lot to see young people downtown in little theaters. It's great. If you start somebody's career, it's so exciting.
To walk across the street is a risk.
I cannot stand authority.
I don't try to dance better than anybody but myself.
In '74 it was really a very gloomy atmosphere, I would say, to put it mildly.
Although I don't gamble in life - I've never played poker - I do gamble on stage. I gamble with myself: 'Can I do this?'
I like to go to anybody else's birthday, and if I'm invited I'm a good guest. But I never celebrate my birthdays. I really don't care.
It's what's left in life, to work with interesting people.
I think art education, especially in this country, which government pretty much ignores, is so important for young people.
I really reject that kind of comparison that says, Oh, he is the best. This is the second best. There is no such thing.
Creative Artists Agency put together a project of extraordinary mediocrity and colossal stupidity. Otherwise, it was great.