Michael Flatley

Also known as Michael Ryan Flatley

American step dancer

Person · Open Library

Works: 3

Top works

Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance
Lord of the dance : my story

via Open Library + Wikidata

Film & TV

Acting

Michael Ryan Flatley (born 16 July 1958) is an Irish American step dancer, writer, flautist, choreographer and occasional television presenter who became internationally known through his theatre musicals, Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. Michael Flatley shot to fame during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest 1994. Michael Flatley returned to the stage in 2009 for a…

Known for

Blackbird — Victor Blackley2022
Gay Byrne's Late Late Moments — Self2020
Till Forever — James2018
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert — Self2015
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games2014
Lord of the Dance — Lord of the Dance2011
Lord Of The Dance - Feet Of Flames - Taiwan2009
Superstars of Dance — Host2008

~18 min read

Article

Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958) is an American and Irish former professional performer and choreographer of Irish dance. 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 created and performed 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. He has also been an actor, writer, director, producer, musician, and philanthropist.

Flatley formerly held the Guinness World Record for tap dancing 35 times per second, and his legs were reportedly insured for £25 million. Flatley retired from dance in 2016 due to constant spinal, knee, foot, and rib pain. In January 2023, he was treated for "an aggressive cancer", which is now in remission.