All News
Michael Flatley

Michael Flatley

Currently Active 1958 — Present
Dancer

Personal Info

Born
Jul 16, 1958
Age
67
Birth Place
Michael Ryan Flatley

LEGACY & ORIGINS

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
Beata Dziąba

​(m. 1986; div. 1997)​
Niamh O'Brien ​(m. 2006)​

Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958) is an American and Irish former professional performer and choreographer of Irish dance. Flatley is cred 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.

Life & Career Details

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
Beata Dziąba

​(m. 1986; div. 1997)​
Niamh O'Brien ​(m. 2006)​

Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958) is an American and Irish former professional performer and choreographer of Irish dance. Flatley is cred 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.

Works & Highlights

[]
0 votes • Be the first to rate!
Share:

Latest Updates

No recent updates.

Discussion Public