Fred Astaire was an American actor, television presenter, dancer, choreographer, and singer. Widely regarded as the most influential dancer in film history, Astaire was known for his innovation, perfectionism, and an uncanny sense of rhythm. Also known for his fashion sense, Fred Astaire remained a male fashion icon throughout his career, which spanned more than seven decades.
Latvian-born Russian-American dancer and choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov was a prominent male classical dancer of the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Latvian SSR, he moved to America where he joined the New York City Ballet. Within years, he became one of the most widely recognized contemporary ballet dancers in the world. He is also a dramatic actor.
Isadora Duncan was a dancer acclaimed in USA, Europe, and the Soviet Union. Raised by a single mother, she grew up in poverty and started teaching dance to children to earn some money. She later joined Augustin Daly's theater company. Eventually, she opened her own dance schools to teach her unique philosophy and techniques to her students.
Derek Hough is an American Latin and ballroom dancer and choreographer. After winning the dance competition TV series, Dancing with the Stars, for a record six times, Hough used his popularity to launch his acting and singing career. Also a writer, his book Taking the Lead was featured in The New York Times Best Seller list.
Abby Lee Miller is a choreographer, dance instructor, and reality TV personality. She is credited with founding the Abby Lee Dance Company where the popular TV series Dance Moms was filmed. The series follows the training of children in dance under the tutelage of Miller. In 2018, Miller was diagnosed with a type of cancer that has left her wheelchair-bound.
Allison Holker is an American dancer known for appearing in the reality TV dance competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. She has also worked in several concert tours, films, and television series. In 2007, she was adjudged the National Senior Dancer of the Year. In 2013, she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination under the Outstanding Choreography category.
Martha Graham was a modern dancer and choreographer who revolutionized American dance. She developed what later became known as the Graham technique, a modern dance movement style and pedagogy. She had an extensive career spanning over 70 years. The Martha Graham School, founded in 1926, is the oldest school of dance in USA.
Twyla Tharp is an American dancer, author, and choreographer. She is credited with founding Twyla Tharp Dance, which she formed in 1966. In 1976, Twyla Tharp choreographed Push Comes to Shove, which is now regarded as the finest example of crossover ballet. Twyla Tharp has received several prestigious awards, including two Emmy Awards and the National Medal of the Arts.
![Michael Flatley Michael Flatley](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/michael-flatley-10233-1.jpg)
Born in Chicago, Irish-origin entertainer Michael Flatley took to dancing inspired by his step dancer mother and music-loving father. Initially a gambler and stockbroker, he later performed with The Chieftains and then choreographed the globally renowned show Riverdance. He later launched shows such as Lord of the Dance and Celtic Tiger.
![Rob Marshall Rob Marshall](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/rob-marshall-1.jpg)
Ukrainian-American professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy is best known for his appearances in the US version of the reality dance competition TV show Dancing with the Stars, which he won twice. A versatile and brilliant dancer, he is also a 14-time US National Latin Dance champion. He is the co-owner of nine social dance studios as well.
![Savion Glover Savion Glover](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/savion-glover-1.jpg)
Dancer, choreographer, and social activist Katherine Dunham was also a qualified anthropologist. She experimented with various ritual dances, and her innovations included a ballet performance based on Caribbean dance. She also pioneered the Dunham Technique of dance pedagogy and used the pen-name Kaye Dunn to write several works.
Starting her career as a cheerleader, Paula Abdul went on to choreograph music videos for Janet Jackson. She then tried her hand at singing-songwriting and released a highly successful debut studio album. Also an award-winning actress, Paula was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also appeared in TV shows like American Idol.
![Raoul Trujillo Raoul Trujillo](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/raoul-trujillo-1.jpg)
![Loie Fuller Loie Fuller](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/loie-fuller-18305-1.jpg)
![Flex Alexander Flex Alexander](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/flex-alexander-45902-1.jpg)
![Columbus Short Columbus Short](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/columbus-short-1.jpg)
![Mayte Garcia Mayte Garcia](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/mayte-garcia-1.jpg)
Mayte Garcia is an American dancer, singer, and actress. She has worked with popular artists like Britney Spears. Mayte Garcia was married to record producer and musician, Prince, from 1996 to 2000. Mayte Garcia has also written a book titled The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince which was published in 2017.
![Stanley Donen Stanley Donen](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/stanley-donen-1.jpg)
![Kenny Wormald Kenny Wormald](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/kenny-wormald.jpg)
![Maksim Chmerkovskiy Maksim Chmerkovskiy](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/maksim-chmerkovskiy-14288-1.jpg)
Ukrainian-American dancer and choreographer Maksim Chmerkovskiya is an expert in Latin ballroom dance. He is best known for his stint on ABC's Dancing with the Stars and his pairing with Kirstie Alley in 2 seasons of the show. He has also appeared in the Broadway productions of dance shows such as Burn the Floor.
![Carrie Ann Inaba Carrie Ann Inaba](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/carrie-ann-inaba-12930-1.jpg)
![Peta Murgatroyd Peta Murgatroyd](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/peta-murgatroyd-1.jpg)
![Marge Champion Marge Champion](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/marge-champion-1.jpg)
R&B and hip-hop singer Teyana Taylor gained fame with MTV's My Super Sweet 16. She signed with Kanye West’s label and also appeared on the reality show Teyana and Iman, with her husband, NBA player Iman Shumpert. In December 2020, she announced her retirement from music through Instagram.
![Frankie Manning Frankie Manning](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/frankie-manning-1.jpg)
![Robin Antin Robin Antin](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/robin-antin-1.jpg)
Robin Antin is an American dancer, actress, singer, entrepreneur, clothing designer, and choreographer. Antin is credited with founding the Pussycat Dolls, a modern burlesque troupe that went on to become famous. She is also credited with creating other popular girl groups like the Paradiso Girls, Girlicious, and G.R.L. As a choreographer, she has worked with well-known personalities like Paris Hilton.
![Busby Berkeley Busby Berkeley](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/busby-berkeley.jpg)
![Travis Wall Travis Wall](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/travis-wall-21343-1.jpg)
![Mark Ballas Mark Ballas](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/mark-ballas-1.jpg)
![George Balanchine George Balanchine](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/george-balanchine-46106-1.jpg)
Alyssa Edwards is an American choreographer, drag performer, and businessperson. She gained international prominence after participating in the reality competition TV series RuPaul's Drag Race in 2013. In June 2019, she was ranked fifth in New York magazine's most powerful drag queens in America list. Alyssa Edwards’ life and career inspired the 2018 docuseries Dancing Queen which premiered on Netflix.
![Gene Anthony Ray Gene Anthony Ray](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/gene-anthony-ray-1.jpg)