Across the 20th century dance moved hand in hand with music and culture, from the snappy Charleston and jitterbug to the Moonwalk and the Macarena. That era sparked a wave of creativity that birthed unique dancers and styles, shaping decades in North America and beyond.
Dance drew hearts across generations, on movie screens and on live stages. Seeing legendary performers urged partners to grab hold and dance along. Even as dance moved from a shared social ritual to a respected art, it stayed among the most expressive arts. The century gave rise to legendary talents whose methods still echo in classrooms and on stages.
Below are seven dancers whose artistry left a lasting imprint on the craft. These icons won over audiences worldwide and became bywords of their era. Sometimes a name fades from memory, but the signature moves are instantly recognizable when they appear on screen or on stage.
1. Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson stands as one of the defining dancers of modern times. A global icon renowned for pop performances, he blended street style with stagecraft to craft a language all his own. He learned by watching pioneers such as Gene Kelly, James Brown, and Marcel Marceau, yet his moves felt instantly original. His rhythm and gravity-defying footwork set new benchmarks for pop dance and music videos.
One of his most lasting legacies is the Moonwalk, a movement that forever changed how audiences perceive turning and gliding on stage. It was not simply a trick; it was storytelling through motion. Countless dancers have tried to reproduce it, but Jackson’s control, timing, and musicality gave the move its signature magic.
Iconic performances continue to influence dancers today. Source: Dance History Archive.
2. Martha Graham
Martha Graham is widely considered to be one of the greatest dancers of all time. This influential figure is a pioneer of modern dance techniques. During her lifetime, she developed the first fully codified modern dance technique. She choreographed more than 180 works spanning classical ballet to freestyle dancing, and many of these works have endured over the decades.
Her contributions to the world of dance are immense, and even today, her style and approach influence many aspects of modern-day dancing. She was one of the first dancers to craft a language based on choreographed body movements, and she became a prominent ambassador for American dance on the global stage.
Her impact still resonates in studios and stages across North America today. Source: Dance History Archive.
3. Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly is perhaps the biggest dancing star to come out of Hollywood. During the Golden Age of film, Kelly developed a distinct style that fused tap, ballet, and athletic movement. He brought a sense of physical ease and storytelling to dance that made musical cinema feel natural and engaging. His works and choreography continue to inspire contemporary artists and dance programs worldwide.
Kelly’s influence is visible in the way later performers blend genres and teach technique, from Paula Abdul to Usher, and countless schools train dancers in his approach. His on-screen collaborations and iconic routines remain touchstones for students and fans alike.
Iconic performances continue to influence dancers today. Source: Dance History Archive.
4. Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov stands as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. Born in the Soviet Union, he began training at a very young age in Leningrad and quickly showed signs of destined stardom. By the 1970s he had become a global sensation, and within a decade his name was etched into the annals of ballet history for his elegant grace and technical finesse.
For two decades he graced the world with artistic moves that combined precision with expressive depth, inspiring generations of dancers to push their boundaries. His influence extended beyond classical ballet into contemporary forms as well.
His legacy lives on in the repertoire and in the work of countless dancers who study his bold technique today. Source: Dance History Archive.
5. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were born dancers with true class and exceptional technique. The duo captivated audiences worldwide with their stylish routines and seamless body control. Their chemistry and timing gave dancing on screen a new standard of sophistication and fun, and it was clear they could anticipate each other’s moves without a miss.
Their collaboration showed the public that dancing could be joyful and accomplished at the same time. They joined forces in 1933 and entertained audiences for years, delivering some of the most memorable film dances before eventually pursuing separate projects in the late 1930s. Their early partnership remains a benchmark for screen romance and dance partnership.
Iconic performances continue to influence dancers today. Source: Dance History Archive.
6. Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev is among the most celebrated ballet dancers of the 20th century. Born in the Soviet Union, he joined the Kirov Ballet in Saint Petersburg and quickly captivated audiences with his charisma, speed, and dramatic range. He expanded the possibilities of what a male dancer could express on stage, combining technical brilliance with a magnetic stage presence.
His career was cut short by illness, but his performances left an enduring mark on the world of ballet. His fearless approach and expressive artistry continued to inspire dancers long after his passing.
Rudolf Nureyev’s legacy endures in the repertoire and in the work of many dancers who study his bold technique today. Source: Dance History Archive.
7. Gregory Oliver Hines
Gregory Hines was an American dancer, singer, and choreographer who helped bring tap into the modern era. Self-taught in tapping, he rose to prominence in film and on stage, appearing in around forty movies and earning numerous awards for his work. His energetic, expressive tapping style influenced a generation of dancers including Jane Goldberg, Dianne Walker, and Savion Glover.
Hines showed that tap could be powerful and theatrical, bridging traditional roots with contemporary performance. He left a lasting imprint on both screen and stage, and his legacy continues to inspire new talent in rhythm and movement.
Iconic performances continue to influence dancers today. Source: Dance History Archive.