Rudolf Nureyev was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest male dancers of all time. He was born in 1938 and began his career at the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad. He defected to the West in 1961 and went on to become a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet in London and the Paris Opera Ballet. He also choreographed works for both companies, as well as for American Ballet Theatre and the Australian Ballet. Nureyev was known for his technical prowess, dramatic intensity, and sheer charisma. He was a major influence on the development of modern ballet and helped to popularize it around the world.