Rudolf Nureyev

Russian-born ballet dancer and actor Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) was the guest star on Episode 213 of The Muppet Show.

Initially, the producers of The Muppet Show had such difficulty casting guest stars that they had to call upon all their personal friends in the entertainment industry for help. This changed dramatically after Nureyev's guest appearance. The publicity of a renowned ballet dancer appearing on such a bizarre show created such positive publicity that the show became popular and soon celebrities were lining up to appear on the show.

Nureyev was educated at the Leningrad Ballet School and starred with Kirov Ballet. Defected to the West while performing in Paris in 1961. He then performed internationally, becoming an Austrian citizen in 1982. The English/French documentary I Am a Dancer (1972) featured him and his long-time dance partner, Dame Margot Fonteyn.

Died of AIDS-related complications on January 6, 1993, in Paris, France.