Michael Flatley | |
|---|---|
 Flatley on stage, 2009 | |
| Born | Michael Ryan Flatley July 16, 1958 |
| Occupation | Dancer |
| Years active | 1969–2016 (dancing) 1971–present (music) |
| Known for | Riverdance (1994–2016) Lord of the Dance (1996–2022) Feet of Flames (1998–2001) Celtic Tiger Live (2004–2007) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 1 |
| Website | www |
Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958)[1] is an American dancer. He became known for creating and performing in Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, Celtic Tiger Live and Michael Flatley's Christmas Dance Spectacular. Flatley's shows have played to more than 60 million people in 60 countries and have grossed more than $1 billion.[2] He has also been an actor, writer, director, producer, musician, and philanthropist.
Flatley is credited with reinventing traditional Irish dance by incorporating new rhythms, syncopation, and upper body movements, which were previously absent from the dance. He formerly held the Guinness World Record for tap dancing 35 times per second and his feet were at one time insured for $57.6 million. Flatley retired from dance in 2016 due to constant spinal, knee, foot, and rib pain.[3] In January 2023, it was reported that he was being treated for "an aggressive cancer".
- ^ Johnson, Lawrence A. (June 15, 2001). "Former Chicago Plumber Brings His Remarkable Feat Back Home". The Chicago Tribune. p. 5-2.
Born Michael Ryan Flatley July 16, 1958 to parents who emigrated from Ireland a decade earlier, Michael began dance lessons at age 4, taught by his grandmother, a champion Irish dancer.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
halloffamewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley in his farewell performance". Irish Central. March 18, 2016.