Mikhail Baryshnikov

Baryshnikov in 2006, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov

Place of Birth: Riga, LSSR, Soviet Union (now Riga, Latvia)

Date of Birth: 27 January, 1948

Ethnicity: Russian

Mikhail Baryshnikov is a Russian and American dancer, choreographer, and actor. He is often cited as one of the greatest ballet dancers in history.

Mikhail was born in Riga, Latvian SSR, to Russian parents. He is the son of Nikolay Baryshnikov, an engineer, and Aleksandra Vassilievna Grigorieva, a dressmaker, originally from Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia. In 1974, while touring Canada, Mikhail defected, and requested political asylum in Toronto. He later moved to the U.S.

Mikhail has a daughter, dancer and choreographer Shura Baryshnikov, with his former partner, actress Jessica Lange; and three children, including actress Anna Baryshnikov, with his partner, ballerina Lisa Rinehart.

Mikhail’s maternal grandfather was named Vassily Grigoriev.