Dancer and choreographer, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. His parents came to the US from Ireland where his grandmother had been an Irish dancing champion in Leinster. At age 11 he began dance lessons and in 1975 became the first American to win the All World Championships in Irish dancing. He shot to fame after the success of his stage routine Riverdance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin in 1994, and went on to create, choreograph, and star in the show Lord of the Dance (1996). Also a flautist, he played in his later show, Feet of Flames (1998). Following a successful world tour, he announced his retirement from the stage (2001) but continued as choreographer and producer. A new show, Celtic Tiger, premiered in the US in 2005.
He became the first non-European to win the All-Ireland World Championship for Irish dance in 1975. His first teachers were his mother and his grandmother Hannah Ryan, an Irish dancing champion. Flatley and Butler then starred in the full-length show that was developed from the original seven-minute act. After leaving the show due to creative disagreements, Flatley produced, directed, and choreographed his own show, Lord of the Dance. In 1998, Flatley put together a dance production called Feet of Flames, a version of which toured Europe and the US in 2000 and 2001.Flatley's current Irish dance show is Celtic Tiger, which opened in July 2005. The show explores the history of the Irish people and Irish immigration to the US and fuses a wide range of dance styles, including jazz. The show also includes popular elements from his previous shows, such as Flatley's flute solos and and the line of dancers in the finale. Flatley released his own autobigoraphical book titled "Lord of the Dance: My Story" in March 2006. Regarding his future plans, Flatley was quoted in the Celtic Tiger program book as saying, "I will be a dancer until the day I die."
Awards and Recognition
Flatley received the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship in 1988 and was named one of National Geographic Society's Living Treasures in 1991 for mastery of a traditional art form, the youngest person at that time ever to receive this accolade. In May of 1989, Flatley set a Guinness Book world record for tapping speed at 28 taps per second; In September 2000, Flatley was awarded the prestigious 'Coq Flambee' by the Sorbonne, Paris, for his commitment to the furtherance of Franco-Irish 'relations'. In December 2001, Flatley became the first recipient of the Irish Dancing Commission Fellowship award, an honorary degree in Irish dance, and was simultaneously made a Fellow of the American Irish Dance Teachers’ Association. Irish America Magazine named Flatley Irish American of the Year in March 2003.
Personal life
In 1986 Flatley wed Polish make-up artist Beata Dziaba, but was divorced 11 years later. He then sued her attorney for blackmail and extortion At the 10
In April 2006, Flatley spoke about his recent discovery of a facial skin cancer.
On November 15 2006 Flatley's website reported that he had been admitted to hospital suffering from a serious illness, which is believed not to be related to his cancer scare, or any kind of serious accident.
Flatley, who is worth £350 million, has homes in Barbados, Chicago, France, Ireland and London.
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