Ballet dancer Manuel Legris was born on October 19, 1964, in Paris, France. He began ballet lessons at a young age and enrolled at the Paris Opera Ballet School at the age of 11. He joined the Paris Opera Ballet at 16, and was promoted to coryphée the following year and to sujet the following year. After playing the lead role of Jean de Brien in a New York production of Raymonda in 1986, he was appointed étoile by the artistic director. This promotion bypassed the première dansour ranks, demonstrating his star potential. Legris would go on to reign as étoile at the top of the ballet company for 23 years. His talent was also highly acclaimed overseas, leading to guest appearances in performances around the world, including with the Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet. Meanwhile, in 1996, he collaborated with former étoile Monique Loudieres. This collaboration later gave rise to the "Manuel Legris & Friends" project, in which Legris performed around the world with his close dancers.

In recognition of these achievements, he received the Nijinsky Prize in 1988, the Order of Letters and Arts in 1993, and the Legion of Honor in 2006. In 1998, he won the Prix Benois for his performance of "Les Ameurilles" at the World Ballet Festival.

In 2009, upon retiring at the age of 44, Legris held his final performance. The piece was "Onegin." His final performance was attended by his former partners, Monique Loudieres and Elisabeth Platel, and the venue was filled with rapturous applause. While continuing his career as a dancer, Legris was appointed artistic director of the Vienna State Opera Ballet in 2010. Within the same year, they staged eight new plays and demonstrated their impressive skills by successfully performing in Japan, Paris, and other countries.