You can name just about any activity and there is a Hall of Fame to honour the best of them…but not all.
On December 3, 2025, the world of dance inducted their inaugural class of Hall of Famers. The inductees include a ballet legend, Hollywood legends, Broadway legends, and an award-winning choreographer; all who have helped to shape dance through the years.
Author and producer Stuart K. Robinson served as host for the gala event.
Dancing Hollywood Icon Shirley MacLaine received the Lifetime Achievement Award; which from this point on will be known as the Dance Hall of Fame Shirley MacLaine Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2025 Dance Hall of Fame inductees:
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Twyla Tharp
Kenny Ortega
Alvin Ailey
Stephen “tWitch” Boss
Missy Copeland
Bob Fosse
Martha Graham
Gene Kelly
Jerome Robbins
The inductees were presented with a limited-edition Lalique “Music is Love” crystal heart that was originally created with Sir Elton John in support of his AIDS Foundation.
Bob Fosse, tWitch, and Gene Kelly’s awards were presented posthumously with family members accepting the awards.
Channing Tatum, Bebe Neuwirth, Lisa Mordente and Dylis Croman were among the artists were among the presenters.
The night’s entertainment was a walk through history with The Martha Graham Dance Company performed; followed by a number of tributes.
All Star dancers Comfort, Fik-shun, and Cyrus from “So You Think You Can Dance” paid tribute to fellow SYTYCD performer tWitch with a hip-hop routine.
The tribute to Jerome Robbins included original choreography from the 1961 film “West Side Story”.
In true Bob Fosse fashion, his tribute included a routine filled with “unmistakable angles, syncopation and attitude”.
Michael Jackson choreographer Kenny Ortega was honoured with a routine to the iconic piece from “Dirty Dancing” “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”.
Goldie Hawn, Hugh Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Kristin Chenoweth, Bill Medley, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jon M. Chu all gave personal tribute messages to the honourees.
Conceived and founded in 2019 by award winning artists Anita Mann and Louis J. Horvitz, the Dance Hall of Fame “recognizes the artistry, innovation and cultural impact of dancers, choreographers and visionaries who have defined and advanced the world of dance. It is the first organization in history dedicated to honoring the most influential figures in dance across all genres and generations” and “preserves the legacy of dance legends while inspiring future generations to move, create and dream.”