Erik Belton Evers Bruhn (October 3, 1928 - April 1, 1986) was a Danish ballet dancer noted for his outstanding classical technique, who appeared mainly as a guest artist with North American and European companies.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Bruhn entered the training school for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1937, joined the company in 1947, and was promoted to soloist in 1949. To enrich his repertory, he took a leave of absence (1949-58) to dance with the American Ballet Theatre; after relinquishing his permanent membership with the Royal Danish Ballet (1961), he again danced with the American Ballet Theatre (1955-58; 1960-61; 1968-69), for whom he restaged La Sylphide in 1976. He also performed with such companies as the New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet, the Australian Ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet.

Frequently described as an ideal danseur noble, Bruhn was noted for his exceptionally graceful portrayals in such 19th-century Romantic ballets as La Sylphide, Giselle, and Swan Lake. He was also praised for his interpretations of Jean in Miss Julie and Don Jose in Carmen and for his performances on American television. He choreographed Concertette (1953; music by Morton Gould) and Festa (1957); staged ballets for the Roman Opera Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada; and in 1967 was appointed director of ballet at the Royal Swedish Opera House, a position that he held until 1972. Thereafter he was chiefly associated with Canada's National Ballet, first as an assistant director (1973-81) and then as director (1983 until his death).

He appeared in a Russian-style pas de deux with French ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire in the 1952 Goldwyn film Hans Christian Andersen which starred Danny Kaye. It was his first trip to the US.

He authored the book Beyond Technique with Fred Fehl, as well as co-authoring with Lillian Moore "Bournonville and Ballet Technique: Studies And Comments On August Bournonville's Etudes Choregraphiques,". He was the subject of the book "Erik Bruhn: Danseur Noble" by John Gruen.

Erik Bruhn met Rudolf Nureyev, the celebrated Tatar dancer, who was on a tour in Denmark. Bruhn became Nureyev's lover, his closest friend, and his protector for many years.

He was director of the Swedish Opera Ballet from 1967 to 1973 and the National Ballet of Canada from 1983 to 1986. A posthumous film biography, "I'm the same only more," by Danish filmmaker Lennart Pasborg won a Cannes award for use of archival material.

His death in 1986 was attributed to lung cancer.