Shirley MacLaine Receives Lifetime Achievement Honor at Inaugural Dance Hall of Fame

(L-R) Noah Fosse, Donna Wood, Twyla Tharp, Connie Boss Alexander, Shirley MacLaine, Allen Greenberg, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Kenny Ortega, Patricia Ward Kelly, Drè Rose, and Janet Eilber attend the inaugural Dance Hall of Fame ceremony honoring the most influential artists in dance history at Glorya Kaufman Community Center on December 03, 2025 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Dance Hall of Fame)

The inaugural Dance Hall of Fame ceremony lit up Los Angeles with a historic night celebrating some of the most influential figures in dance. With a star-studded audience, emotional tributes, and electrifying performances, the event marked a major cultural milestone. But for New Mexicans, the spotlight shone brightest on one legendary figure: Shirley MacLaine, the beloved actress, dancer, and longtime Abiquiú resident, honored with the very first Dance Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. MacLaine soon learned that the award will officially be known as the Dance Hall of Fame Shirley MacLaine Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing her legacy in dance and performance for generations to come. The award recognizes her extraordinary contributions to dance on stage and screen, from her early Broadway work to her unforgettable turns in Sweet Charity, Irma La Douce, and her acclaimed live productions.

MacLaine, who has made her home in Abiquiú, New Mexico for decades, remains one of the state’s most cherished creative voices. Her presence in the northern New Mexico arts community is well known, and her deep connection to the region makes this recognition especially resonant for local fans.

The ceremony also honored ten dance trailblazers whose artistry shaped the evolution of movement across film, stage, and popular culture. The inaugural inductees included Alvin Ailey, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Misty Copeland, Bob Fosse, Martha Graham, Gene Kelly, Kenny Ortega, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp.

Shirley MacLaine accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the inaugural Dance Hall of Fame ceremony honoring the most influential artists in dance history at Glorya Kaufman Community Center on December 03, 2025 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Dance Hall of Fame)

MacLaine shared a heartfelt moment with fellow honoree Mikhail Baryshnikov, her co-star and friend from The Turning Point, with a celebratory kiss. Presenters such as Channing Tatum, Bebe Neuwirth, Lisa Mordente, and Dylis Croman helped bring the ceremony to life, while heartfelt recorded messages from Goldie Hawn, Hugh Jackman, Gloria Estefan, Kristin Chenoweth, and others added emotional depth to the evening.

Performances honoring the inductees included a tribute to Stephen “tWitch” Boss, a recreation of Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story choreography, and a dazzling finale of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” for Kenny Ortega.

For New Mexico, the ceremony is a proud moment. Shirley MacLaine continues to influence generations of performers. With this new award, her legacy will forever inspire dancers, choreographers, and audiences around the world.

Inaugural Dance Hall of Fame. Video footage courtesy of Rhodes Creative Group for Anita Mann Productions.