Biography
In reality, the ten years spent in his homeland were the most frustrating of his life, as the artist in him chafed against the rigidness of the Soviet state. Born in Riga, Latvia to Russian parents (his curt, cold father was a soldier of occupation), Baryshnikov ostensibly began his life in exile. His mother, who introduced him to ballet at the age of 9, committed suicide when he was 12, causing him to fall back completely on himself to …
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Career Milestones
| Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theatre (also principal dancer to 1985); had given notice that he would leave in 1990, but quit when they went over his head and fired his second-in-command, Charles France | ||
| Danced with the Kirov in Soviet Union and on tour | ||
| Moved to George Balanchine's New York City Ballet; learned 20-odd roles, perhaps most notably "Apollo" and "Prodigal Son" | ||
1967 | Professional dance debut with Kirov Ballet in the "Peasant Pas de Deux" from "Giselle" at age 19 | |
1974 | Defected to Canada | |
1974 | Member of the American Ballet Theater | |
1977 | Choreographed and starred in the CBS TV production of "The Nutcracker" | |
1977 | Film acting debut (also choreographer) in "The Turning Point"; received Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination | |
1980 | Headlined the acclaimed variety special "Baryshnikov on Broadway" (ABC) | |
1982 | Starred in the ABC variety special "Baryshnikov in Hollywood" | |
1986 | Became a naturalized American citizen on July 3rd | |
1989 | Broadway acting debut, starring as Gregor Samsa in "Metamorphosis", adapted from the Franz Kafka novel by Steven Berkoff; earned a Tony nomination as Best Actor in a Play | |
1990 | Co-founded White Oak Dance Project (modern dance) with Mark Morris; named after his philanthropist friend Howard Gilman who built him a rehearsal studio at the Gilman Foundation's White Oak Plantation (FL); tours four months out of the year, and if performances fail to pay the expenses, Baryshnikov writes a check | |
Awards
1977 | Academy Award for Actor In a Supporting Role in The Turning Point |
1977 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in The Turning Point |
1978 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Children's Programming in The Nutcracker |
1982 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Baryshnikov in Hollywood |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Classical Program In the Performing Arts in Baryshnikov By Tharp With American Ballet Theatre |
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Classical in David Gordon's Made in U.S.A. |
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In a Variety or Music Program in Celebrating Gershwin |
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In Classical Music/Dance Programming in Baryshnikov Dances Balanchine With American Ballet Theatre |