Famous Male Ballet Dancers

What is a Male Ballet Dancer Called?

The ballet dance industry is known for it’s elegance and precision. While ballet has historically been known for its female dancers, their partners; male dancers have played a vital role in shaping ballet. Male dancers bring strength and brilliant technique to the stage. From classical ballet in Europe to modern styles in New York and beyond, famous male ballet dancers have definitely made a mark in ballet dance culture. Keep reading to find out our favourite famous male ballet dancers, highlighting their achievements, performances and impact to the ballet world.

Rudolf Nureyev

Nureyev transitioned the role of male ballet dancers, from being a support to the female dancers into more dynamic and challenging parts giving them an equal presence on stage. Born in the Soviet Union, he toured with Kirov Ballet which allowed him to gain attention in the West where he then joined the Royal Ballet in London. Whilst at the Royal Ballet he partnered with Margot Fonteyn to become the most iconic duos in ballet history. During his career, he performed in Swan Lake, Giselle and Romeo and Juliette. Nureyev went on to be director of Paris Opera Ballet and helped shape future ballet stars, leaving a lasting legacy and ensuring his place as one of the most famous male ballet dancers.

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Known for his extraordinary technique, Mikhail is considered one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time. Born in the Soviet Union, Mikhail moved over to America and danced with American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. Famous for his jumps and leaps, that he completed immaculately and with ease. Mikhail went further than the dance studio and also acted in films White Nights and Sex And The City, this helped bring ballet to a wider audience. He went on to become the artistic director of ABT.

Vaslav Nijinsky

One of the most famous male ballet dancers of the early 20th century, Vaslav is thought of as a pioneer of modern dance. Known best in the ballet world for his ability to leap at extraordinary height. When he performed in ballets like The Rite Of Spring, he pushed boundaries and broke traditions to pave the way for modern male ballet dancers. He later choreographed The Rite Of Spring with primal style movements which caused scandal at the time but became iconic choreography therefore cementing his place as a famous male ballet dancer.

Carlos Acosta

Carlos has become one of the most famous male ballet dancers in recent times, rising to international fame. From Havana to the principal of The Royal Ballet, his story is admirable and inspiring. His dynamic and flowing style has earnt him critical acclaim in ballet’s such as Romeo and Juliet and Spartacus. His unmatched stage presence has propelled him to be the most famous ballet dancers of this century. Not only this, but he also made history in 2014, becoming the first black principle dancer at The Royal Ballet, breaking racial barriers in the dance world. Recently, Carlos founded Acosta Danza, a dance company that combines classical ballet with contemporary Cuban style.

Roberto Bolle

An Italian male ballet dancer, Roberto is well-known for his versatility in performance style. Roberto is Principal at both American Ballet Theatre and La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan. As a dancer, his style is elegant, charismatic and his technique is precise. Famous for the classics, Roberto has performed Swan Lake and Giselle. During his career his danced with Misty Copeland and Alessandra Ferri. Roberto takes ballet beyond the theatre with outdoor venue performances.

Sergei Polunin 

The youngest ever priniple at The Royal Ballet, Sergei gives stunning performances yet is also known for his rebellious personality. His high leaps and fast turns have been compared to other great famous male ballet dancers on this list and at a young age will be talked about for years to come. Sergei performance of Hozier’s Take Me To Church went viral, bringing ballet to new fans online across the world. His powerful and memorable performances ensure he has earned his place on the list of famous male ballet dancers.

All of the famous male ballet dancers here have had a huge impact on the world of dance, shaping the modern era of ballet and bringing to new audiences for centuries. These male ballet dancers are known for their skill, creativity and performances. They have inspired younger male ballet dancers and have meant that future dancers can be the stars of the show rather than an accessory to the females. Who’s your favourite on the list?

Ready to take to the dancefloor? At Move Dance, we have all the essentials for you to be comfy and confident at your first ballet dance class, find  ballet leotards, ballet shoes and ballet dancewear.

Interested to know more about dance? Take a deep dive into the  History of Ballet. Brand ambassador Will Davolls gives his Advice for Male Dancers. 

Thanks for reading, 

Holly at Move Dance