I recently ran across an old VHS recording I made of ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov on CNN’s Larry King Live (how many people know what a VHS tape is?). The interview was from May 2002 after publication of Joan Acocella’s “Baryshnikov in Black and White”, a photo book documenting his career over 3 decades. The interview with the then 54-year old Baryshnikov was wide ranging including: his lack of regrets about leaving Russia; defection in Toronto; performing alongside Frank Sinatra; friendship with Rudolf Nureyev; domestic life and children; difficulty of balancing the demands of art and family life; and even his golf game. Check out my YouTube channel for this and other ballet videos.
The good news and bad news: although I did capture the interview, I missed the first half of this fascinating interview. CNN has a transcript of the entire video. In addition, those in New York can view the entire interview at the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center. I have not been able to find another source of the interview, including YouTube. Enjoy!