Alexander Godunov
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Described as "a Pre-Raphaelite angel posing as a punk-rock idol," this tall (6'3"), blond star of the Bolshoi Ballet staged a dramatic, front-page defection from the Soviet Union in 1979. A Russian dance star since 1971, Godunov, a colleague of Mikhail Baryshnikov, became a principal with the American Ballet Theatre and in 1982, after he left under a cloud of bad feelings, danced as guest artist with various troupes. Spotted by director Peter Weir on a 1983 PBS special, "Godunov: The World to Dance In," he made his US acting debut as a somber Amish farmer in the thriller, "Witness" (1985).
Unlike Baryshnikov, Godunov chose not to appear in dance films. Perhaps due to this--or to the alcoholism which eventually killed him--Godunov's film career fizzled. His lion's mane of long blond hair and his intimidating presence did help him get roles as an arrogant symphony conductor in "The Money Pit" (1986), a villain in "Die Hard" (1988) and an incestous madman in "Waxwork II" (1991). Godunov's final role was in the comedy "North" (1994). As an in-joke, he portrayed an Amish father, married to "Witness" co-star Kelly McGillis.
Life Events
1958
Danced with the Moiseyev Ballet Company
1971
Made debut at Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow, in "Swan Lake"
1975
Made film debut, played Vronski in the ballet version of "Anna Karenina"
1979
Defected while the Bolshoi was on tour in New York
1983
US TV debut on PBS special, "Godunov: The World to Dance In"
1984
Gave final dance performance
1985
US feature debut, played an Amish farmer in "Witness"
1987
Became a US citizen
1991
Attended and taught at Lichine Ballet Academy in Beverly Hills
1994
Final feature, cast as an Amish dad in Rob Reiner's "North"
Family
Companions
