Michael Peters

Michael Peters (1948 - August 21 1994) was an American choreographer. He was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in New York City, and died in Los Angeles, California.

Related Topics:
1948 - August 21 - 1994 - American - Choreographer - Williamsburg, Brooklyn - New York City - Los Angeles, California

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His first major job in choreography was for Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby". He went on to stage other memorable dance sequences for music videos, including Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" (which he has a brief cameo in), and Michael Jackson's "Beat It". In this video directed by Bob Guraldi, 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.

Related Topics:
Donna Summer - Music video - Pat Benatar - Michael Jackson - Beat It - West Side Story

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peters' best known choreography (which was contributed to by Jackson) was that for the fifteen-minute video-opus "Thriller", directed by John Landis. A testament to the strength of these two collaborations is that more than a decade later, Jackson's stage shows still contained large elements of Peters' original footwork.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He danced with Talley Beatty, Alvin Ailey, Bernice Johnson, and Fred Benjamin, and worked with Michael_Bennett.

Related Topics:
Talley Beatty - Alvin Ailey - Bernice Johnson - Fred Benjamin - Michael_Bennett

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the time of his death, he was advocating for a choreography Oscar.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~