Alexander Godunov: Ballet Rock Star

With dynamic athleticism and abundant charisma, Alexander Godunov made his mark as one of the leading male dancers of the 1970s and early 1980s. His variations were a whirlwind of powerful turns and leaps in showpiece variations such as Don Quixote and Le Corsaire. Added to his persona was his status as a Soviet defector in 1979, joining Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov; to many of Godunov's fans, his dancing was unrivaled.

Godunov had one characteristic the others did not: very tall for a dancer at 6 foot 4 inches with long blond shoulder-length hair, he looked like a rock star. Looking at photos of Godunov in the 1980s, Godunov is indistinguishable from any charismatic frontman of a significant rock and roll band with appearances in major movies with A-list Hollywood elites in the 1980s, celebrity girlfriend, and hoards of paparattzi. Unfortunately, he also shared another characteristic with megastars: substance abuse and addiction. He ultimately succumbed to this temptation at only 45 years of age. This video focuses on Godunov's stellar dancing, revealing a unique combination of athletic prowess and refined technique.

Many thanks to Stephen Nelson for many helpful comments on a draft version.

A commenter on another Godunov video made a reference to Godunov as "ballet rock star." The characterization resonated with me and it is the theme of this video. Apologies, but I did not remember the identity of the commenter.

Video Sources
Godunov Variations Классические дуэты. Нина Тимофеева (1976)    • Классические дуэты. Нина Тимофеева (1...  

Lyudmila Vlasova trip back to Soviet Union after Godunov defection: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/12...

Godunov in the movies: Witness (9/9) Movie CLIP - Right of Way (1985) HD @MOVIECLIPS ; Witness (1985) - 'Building the Barn' scene @ScreenThemes ; The Money Pit - "I'm shallow and self-centered, but you?" @danielc.9585 ; Die Hard - McClane vs. Karl Fight Scene (1080p) ‪@VeeXXL‬; Alexander Gudonov for "Die Hard" 1988 - Bobbie Wygant Archive @bobbiewygantarchive

Godunov in Don Quixote later in his career: Natalia Makarova & Alexander Godunov - Don Q PDD, @habanero0494

Godunov in Le Corsaire: Alexander Godunov, Corsaire, @magnumSuper

Photos
Bono singing in Indianapolis on Joshua Tree Tour 2017, Wikipedia

Alexander Godunov, Die Hard, 1988, Allstar Picture Library Limited, Alamy Stock Photo

Godunov and Baryshnikov at Riga State Riga State Choreographic School: https://www.ladancechronicle.com/worl...

Igor Moiseyev from the April 1961 issue of Dance Magazine, Wikipedia

Bolshoi Theatre, front facade view at night, in Moscow, Wikipedia, Dmitriy Guryanov

Yuri Grigorovich, Art Director of Bolshoi, Wikipedia

Jacqueline Bisset and Alexander Godunov color photo: 1981 Credit: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch Alamy Stock Photo

Jacqueline Bissett and Alexander Godunov black and white photo at the New York's Hilton Hotel for a Galaxy of Stars to CelebrationPhoto by Adam Scull/PHOTOlink/MediaPunch/Almay Stock Photo

Jacqueline Bisset and Alexander Godunov leaving Heathrow 1984, David Parker / Alamy Stock Photo

Mikhail Baryshnikov, The Turning Pointe, 1977, Allstar Picture Library Limited. / Alamy Stock Photo

Rudolf Nureyev in his dressing room at the Royal Ballet School, Wikipedia, Allan Warren

Alexander Godunov at the 2nd Moscow International Ballet Dancers Competition, SPUTNIK / Alamy
Stock Photo

Alexander Godunov leaving U.S. Court House, March 4, 1987 in New York, after he took the oath of allegiance to become an American citizen. Godunov, AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler

Liza Minnelli, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alexander Godunov, April 20, 1982, Bettmann / Contributor, Getty Images

Biographical Info
Wikipedia, "Alexander Godunov"
New York Times, "American Ballet Theater Signs Godunov for ‘79‐80," October 3, 1979
New York Times, "Godunov Leaving Troupe," June 5, 1982
UPI Archives, "Godunov 'hurt' that Misha didn't break news of ABT firing," June 11, 1982
New York Times, "Alexander Godunov, Dancer And Film Actor, Dies at 45," May 19, 1995
Los Angeles Times, "Bolshoi Dancer, Actor Alexander Godunov Dies," May 20, 1995
Deseret News, "Alcoholism Blamed in Death of Russian Ballet Star, Godunov," May 20, 1995
Lyudmila Vlasova comments about Godunov: "Whatever happened to... Alexander Godunov?"
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