Michael Ryan Flatley (created July 16, 1958) is an Irish American Irish dancer, choreographer, performer, musician and occasional television presenter.
Michael Flatley created and choreographed the first Riverdance and directed the show to great success[citation needed] as the intermission performance in the Eurovision Song Contest on April 30, 1994. Flatley subsequently starred in the full length show that originated in the seven-minute amount. Following the show’s first run in London, Flatley left Riverdance in late 1995 due to issues over creative control. Then he made, directed, and choreographed Lord of the Dance, which played usually in arenas and stadiums as an alternative to theatres. He also come up with a dance production called Feet of Flames in 1998. He afterwards went on to create another version of the show with around 50% distinct amounts in the 1998 show. Titled Feet of Flames: The Victory Tour, he toured Europe in 2000 as well as the U.S. in 2001. Flatley also created the show “Pulse of Residence.” Flatley broke his own record for tap speed in February 1998, by reaching 35 taps per second. Michael Flatley additionally received Guinness Book acknowledgement in both 1999 and 2000 for being the best paid dancer, bringing in $1,600,000 per week and for having the greatest insurance policy put on a dancer’s legs at $40,000,000.
Anne-Marie Flatley, Thomasina Griffin, Patrick Flatley, Eliza Callahan
Nicknames
Michael Ryan Flatley , Flatley, Michael
Albums
Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
Nominations
Echo Award for Best Music DVD
Movies
Lord of the Dance 3D, Michael Flatley: Gold, Feet of Flames, 2001: A Space Travesty, Riverdance for Rwanda, The Best of Riverdance, Riverdance: The Show, Lord of the Dance, The Michael Flatley Collection, Celtic Tiger
TV Shows
Superstars of Dance, Dancing with the Stars
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Quote
1
If I never do another show, I'll die a happy man.
2
I don't want to dance as if I'm making an apology
#
Fact
1
Michael has started a new tour with his new show Celtic Tiger. [November 2005]
2
Finished his new flute solo album and this Double-CD will be released at the end of the year [May 2002]
3
Irish-American.
4
He and Niamh became parents to their first child, a son, Michael St. James Flatley, on Thursday 26th April 2007.
5
Donated his 1998 Rolls Royce to the "People in Need" charity. By the time the car was auctioned off during the 2003 phone-in bidding drive in Ireland, more than $100K had been raised. Flatley's license plate read: C 1 MRF (his initials)
6
Was the first American to win the Irish Dance World Championships at the age of 16. He began dancing at the age of 11 and was told he was too old and should not even attempt to dance competitively.
7
Held the Golden Gloves Championship in the feather weight division in 1977
8
Engaged to Lisa Murphy [July 2002]
9
On every show, he saves a seat for his grandmother Hannah Ryan, who was his inspiration.
10
Every day on tour he eats steaks for breakfast.
11
His father is from Sligo, Ireland. His mother is from Carlow, Ireland. He was raised in Chicago where his parents immigrated 4 years before his birth in 1958
12
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but many often think he is from Ireland.
13
He is in the Guiness Book of World Records for the fast tap of 36 taps per second.
14
He has one blue eye and one green eye
15
His legs were insured for 40 million dollars.
16
He is a chessmaster, and plays the flute at a concert level.
17
He is now retired from active dancing.
18
Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1997]
19
(11/27/1998) Admitted to a Brisbane, Australia hospital collapsing backstage during a show. He was released two days later after being treated for an acute respiratory infection.
20
Was awarded the title of 1997s "Dubious Man of the Year" by Esquire Magazine (USA).
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
2014
Lord of the Dance in 3D
2011
Lord of the Dance
Celtic Tiger
2006
Video
Michael Flatley - Gold: A Celebration of Michael Flatley
2000
Video
2001: A Space Travesty
2000
Not In This Movie (gag credit)
Riverdance: The Show
1995
Lead Dancer
Riverdance for Rwanda
1994
Video short
As a dancer
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Riverdance: Live
2001
TV Movie documentary choreographer: original principal Irish dance