Kevin O'Hare
He traded the dancer's tights for the director's chair, now steering one of the world's most prestigious ballet companies into a new era.
Born 1965 (age 61)·British retired ballet dancer·Birthday: September 14·Generation X
Biography
Kevin O'Hare's life in ballet is a story of evolution, from a dancer of crisp, classical elegance to a leader of formidable vision. Joining The Royal Ballet in 1985, he spent nearly two decades as a principal, known for his clean technique and thoughtful portrayals in roles from the princes of Petipa to the creations of contemporary choreographers like Kenneth MacMillan. His career onstage was a preparation for what came next. Moving into administrative roles, he demonstrated a keen eye for talent and programming. In 2012, he was appointed Director of The Royal Ballet, succeeding the formidable Monica Mason. In this role, O'Hare has balanced reverence for the company's storied repertoire with a bold commitment to new work, commissioning rising choreographers and expanding the artistic horizons of the Covent Garden stage while maintaining its classical soul.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Kevin was born in 1965, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kevin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1965
#1 Movie
The Sound of Music
Best Picture
The Sound of Music
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Kevin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1965Born
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1970Started school
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1978Became a teenager
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Could drive
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1983Could vote
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Turned 21
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1995Turned 30
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2005Turned 40
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 50
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 60
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 61 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Appointed Director of The Royal Ballet in 2012, overseeing all artistic and strategic direction.
- Had a 17-year career as a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, performing a wide range of leading roles.
- Was instrumental in establishing the Royal Ballet's Draft Works program, a platform for new choreographic talent.
- Awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to ballet.
Did You Know?
He was born in Birmingham and began his dance training at the Royal Ballet School.
One of his signature roles was as Colas in Frederick Ashton's ballet 'La Fille mal gardée'.
He is married to former Royal Ballet dancer and current répétiteur, Elizabeth McGorian.
“null”
