Male Ballet Dancers
The Famous Names

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There are a many famous male ballet dancers both from the past and the present. Here are some notable names in the world of ballet:

Vaslav Nijinsky
Rudolf Nureyev
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Carlos Acosta

Vaslav Nijinsky

Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian male dancer. (1890- 1950) Nijinsky was recognized for his range and strength in characterization. He transformed himself for each role he danced. People say no one who saw him perform ever forgot him.

He was able to do magnificent jumps and his skills are greatly remembered. His sister, Bronislava Nijinska, who was also a Russian dancer.

Nijinsky had many roles created for him. He was a part of the Marinsky Theatre and Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes.

Rudolf Nureyev

Rudolf Nureyev was a Russian dancer. (1938-1993). He was a dancer, choreographer, director, and a true influence on ballet history.

In 1962, he made his first appearance in London with the Royal Ballet, where he performed Giselle with Margot Fonteyn.

Nureyev gained bigger audiences than any other dancer. He was also filmed more than any dancer before.

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov was born in 1948 in Riga, Latvia. Together with Nijinsky and Nureyev, he is often noted as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century.

Baryshnikov started in the Kirov ballet and later 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 in time he became artistic director.

In addition to his career in dance, Baryshnikov has pursued acting, starring in five films. . He was also featured in the last season of Sex and the City, playing a Russian artist.

Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta was born in 1973 and is a Cuban ballet dancer. Ascosta is a favored dancer and is said to be following in the footsteps of Nijinski and Nureyev.

Ascosta has performed throughout the world and danced with a wide variety of ballet companies including, the English National Ballet, Houston and American Ballet Theatre.

He has been a permanent member of The Royal Ballet since 1998 and was promoted Principal Guest Artist in 2003.

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