Updated: Ballet dancer, actor Baryshnikov named this year's commencement speaker
January 30, 2013
World-renowned ballet dancer and Emmy-winning actor Mikhail Baryshnikov will give the main address and receive an honorary degree at Northwestern’s 155th commencement, according to a University news release.
Baryshnikov, born in Latvia to Russian parents, has experienced much success on both the screen and stage.
Baryshnikov has made a name for himself in the ballet scene. He joined New York City Ballet in 1979 and became the artistic director for American Ballet Theatre in 1980. Baryshnikov then founded the White Oak Dance Project in 1990 with choreographer Mark Morris and introduced modern dance to people around the world. In 2005, he founded Baryshnikov Arts Center, which consists of four large studios in New York and attracts more than 22,000 audience members every year, the release said.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1977 for his performance in “The Turning Point” and received an Emmy in 1980 for his work in “Baryshnikov on Broadway” with Liza Minelli. Baryshnikov also appeared on the last season of “Sex and the City” as the love interest of Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw.
Baryshnikov has received several awards for his work, including one in 2000 from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, according to the release. He was also given the National Medal of Arts the same year and received the University Chubb Fellowship for 2003-2004 and the Jerome Robbins Award in 2005. He was named an Officer of the French Legion of Honor in 2010, according to the release.
Baryshnikov’s daughter, Anna, is a junior in the School of Communication. She said she has known her father was slated to speak for a while and is looking forward to his speech.
"I'm really proud of him for going through with it and I'm excited to see what he comes up with," she said.
The 2013 commencement ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. June 21 at Ryan Field.
— Jillian Sandler
Note: This post has been updated with additional information and comment from Anna Baryshnikov.
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OMG this is the best ever.
I wasn't going to bother attending graduation but if Baryshnikov is speaking I'ma make sure to go. This is so exciting. I'm going to go buy a Northwestern sweatshirt or something.
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Shouldn't you also mention his connection to Northwestern?? The past and present students that he's related to?
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I think this is misleading, by describing Baryshnikov's accomplishments in acting first, and then saying he "has 'also' made a name for himself in the ballet scene." This may be the biggest understatement of the century. Baryishnikov is first and foremost one of the most renowned ballet dancers in the history of the world...
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This is a really misleading article. Baryshnikov's impact on the American development of ballet is unparalleled. He is an international dance superstar who revolutionized the art. (And you should see the man jump!) mentioning his dancing in passing after his SATC cameo is highly offensive to cultured people. I hope the actual coverage of commencement is a little better researched. Yet another example of the gap between The Daily and the training available at Medill.
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Here is why Baryshnikov is known to be one of the greatest dancers in history:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wop6Joz0POI
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ugh, this caters to such a tiny audience...
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Bravo!!
He's an icon in the world of dance. Wonderful choice.
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[...] Mikhail Baryshnikov is speaking at Northwestern University on June 21. Turns out his daughter, Anna, is a junior in the School of [...]