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Michael Peters (choreographer)

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For other people named Michael Peters (choreographer), see Michael Peters (choreographer) (disambiguation).
Michael Peters
Born
Michael Douglas Peters

(1948-08-06)August 6, 1948
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 29, 1994(1994-08-29) (aged 46)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Choreographer, dancer
Years active1970s−1994

Michael Douglas Peters (August 6, 1948 – August 29, 1994) was an American choreographer.

Biography

Peters was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in New York City to an African American father and Jewish mother. His first major breakthrough came when he did choreography for Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" in 1975. He went on to stage other memorable dance sequences for music videos, including Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield" (in which he has a brief cameo) and Lionel Richie's "Hello" (in which he also has a brief cameo as the dance instructor of Lionel Richie's blind love interest).

However, he was most recognized for his choreography work in Michael Jackson's videos, including the hit "Thriller", directed by John Landis, and "Beat It" directed by Bob Giraldi, which is vaguely reminiscent of West Side Story: Peters co-stars as one of two gang leaders who prepare for a dramatic showdown/knifefight, which is averted at the last moment by Jackson. Peters is dressed all in white, and wears sunglasses during the piece.

Peters choreographed Diana Ross' landmark July 1983 Central Park concert, "For One & For All", during which he danced with Ross in her "Maniac" & "Pieces of Ice" numbers. Peters also appeared in Lionel Richie's video "Running With The Night".

Peters is also widely credited for the striking transformation of actress Angela Bassett into Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do with It.

Peters danced with Talley Beatty, Alvin Ailey, Bernice Johnson, and Fred Benjamin, and worked with Michael Bennett. Bennett and Peters shared a 1982 Tony Award for Best Choreography for their work on the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. In 1985, he directed and choreographed the Ellie Greenwich jukebox musical Leader of the Pack.

Peters died in Los Angeles, California of an AIDS-related illness at 46.

Awards and nominations

References

  • Jennifer Dunning (1 September 1994). "Michael Peters, a Choreographer Of 'Dreamgirls,' Is Dead at 46". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
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