Michael Peters (choreographer)
Michael Peters | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Michael Douglas Peters August 6, 1948 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 29, 1994 (aged 46) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Choreographer, dancer, director |
| Years active | 1970s−1994 |
Michael Douglas Peters (August 6, 1948 – August 29, 1994) was an American choreographer, dancer and director who is best known for his innovative choreography in music videos.
Early
[edit]Michael Peters was born on August 8, 1948 I Brooklyn, New York. He attended the Fiorella H. La Guardia High School in Brooklyn, one of nine specialized schools in New York City, which focuses on visual and performing arts. However, he disliked school and never graduated.[1]
Instead, he learned to dance at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Queens.[2]
Career
[edit]Michael choreographed some of the most memorable videos during the 80s. His most well-known choreography is the “Thriller” video.[3] He worked again with Michael Jackson on “Beat It” where he also served as one of two gang leaders in the video.[4]
Michael won a 1982 Tony Award for his choreography in the stage version of “Dreamgirls.” He was nominated for and won two Primetime Emmy Awards for “Liberty Weekend 1986 — Closing Ceremonies” and “The Jacksons: An American Dream” (1993).[5]
He also won American Video and MTV awards for choreography for both Jackson videos.[1]
Death
[edit]Michael died on August 29, 1994 of HIV/AIDS.[6]
Awards and nominations
[edit]- 1982 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Dreamgirls
- 1987 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography – Liberty Weekend
- 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography – The Jacksons: An American Dream
- 1994 American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Feature Film – What's Love Got to Do with It
References
[edit]- ^ a b Oliver, Myrna (1994-09-01). "Obituaries : Michael Peters; Helped Create Michael Jackson Videos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ Oliver, Myrna (1994-09-01). "Obituaries : Michael Peters; Helped Create Michael Jackson Videos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at 40: How a monster dance became iconic". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ Bowling, Suzanna (2022-02-06). "The Choreography of Michael Jackson Michael Peters, Vincent Patterson, Lavelle Smith Jr, Jeffrey Daniel and Travis Payne | Times Square Chronicles". t2conline.com. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography", Wikipedia, 2025-04-26, retrieved 2025-05-03
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- Jennifer Dunning (1 September 1994). "Michael Peters, a Choreographer Of 'Dreamgirls,' Is Dead at 46". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- Lavin, Cheryl (26 September 1993). "Choreographer/director Michael Peters is best known for his..." Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- Albrecht, Adam (31 October 2019). "The creative mind behind the Thriller dance". Adam Albrecht Blog. Word Press. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- Oliver, Myrna (1 September 1994). "Obituaries: Michael Peters; Helped Create Michael Jackson Videos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- "Biography for Michael Peters". Bennett's Dream Girls. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1948 births
- 1994 deaths
- African-American choreographers
- African-American Jews
- African-American television directors
- AIDS-related deaths in California
- American choreographers
- American jazz dancers
- American television directors
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
- Musical theatre choreographers
- Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Tony Award winners
- People from Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- 20th-century African-American people