Described as "a Pre-Raphaelite angel posing as a punk-rock idol", this tall (6'3"), blond star of the Bolshoi Ballet staged a dramatic, front-page defection from the Soviet Union in 1979. A Russian dance star since 1971, Godunov, a colleague of Mikhail Baryshnikov, became a principal with the American Ballet Theatre and in 1982, after he left under a cloud of bad feelings, danced as guest artist with various troupes. Spotted by director Peter Weir on a 1983 PBS special, "Godunov: The World to Dance In", he made his US acting debut as a somber Amish farmer in the thriller, "Witness" (1985).
Unlike Baryshnikov, Godunov chose not to appear in dance films. Perhaps due to this--or to the alcoholism which eventually killed him--Godunov's film career fizzled. His lion's mane of long blond hair and his intimidating presence did help him get roles as an arrogant symphony conductor in "The Money Pit" (1986), a villain in "Die Hard" (1988) and an incestous madman in "Waxwork II" (1991). Godunov's final role was in the comedy "North" (1994). As an in-joke, he portrayed an Amish father, married to "Witness" co-star Kelly McGillis.
- Born:
November 28, 1949 in Ujno, Sakhalin Island
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Job Titles:
Actor, Dancer, Ballet teacher
Significant Others
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Companion: Jacqueline Bisset. together 1981-88
Milestones
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1958 Danced with the Moiseyev Ballet Company
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1971 Made debut at Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow, in "Swan Lake"
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1975 Made film debut, played Vronski in the ballet version of "Anna Karenina"
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1979 Defected while the Bolshoi was on tour in New York
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1983 US TV debut on PBS special, "Godunov: The World to Dance In"
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1984 Gave final dance performance
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1985 US feature debut, played an Amish farmer in "Witness"
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1987 Became a US citizen
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1991 Attended and taught at Lichine Ballet Academy in Beverly Hills
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1994 Final feature, cast as an Amish dad in Rob Reiner's "North"
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Joined the American Ballet Theatre, New York; three year contract was not renewed by ABT artistic director Mikhail Baryshnikov (official company statement said his repertory was too limited and the company could not afford his $5,500 per week salary)
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Mother took him to Bolshoi School at age nine; was selected with 12 others out of 250 applicants
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Moved to Moscow and became principal dancer with the Bolshoi Dance Company
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Performed as guest artist with several dance companies; formed his own temporary dance troupes for tours including "Godunov and Stars"
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Raised in Latvia