He defected from Russia in 1961, joined the Royal Ballet of England in 1962, and starred in the 1977 film, Valentino. Who is he?

The clues point to one of the most celebrated and charismatic ballet dancers of the 20th century. In 1961, while on tour with the Kirov Ballet in Paris, he made a dramatic and widely publicized decision to defect from the Soviet Union, evading KGB agents at Le Bourget Airport. The following year, he made his debut with The Royal Ballet in London, beginning a legendary new chapter in his career. His fame extended beyond the stage, leading him to star as the titular silent film icon in Ken Russell's 1977 biopic, "Valentino."

Rudolf Nureyev is remembered not just for his dramatic life story but for revolutionizing the art of ballet. His partnership with the much older prima ballerina (Review) Dame Margot Fonteyn is considered one of the greatest in dance history, renowned for its passionate chemistry. He possessed an explosive technique and a powerful stage presence that elevated the role of the male dancer from a mere support for the ballerina to a magnetic star in his own right. His immense talent and celebrity status helped bring ballet to a much wider, more mainstream audience, cementing his legacy as a true cultural icon.