Gaetano Apolline Baldassarre Vestris (18 April 1729 – 23 September 1808), French ballet dancer, was born in Florence and made his debut at the opera in 1749.

By 1751, his success and his vanity had grown to such a point that he is reported to have said, "There are but three great men in Europe—the king of Prussia, Voltaire and I."

From 1770 to 1776 he was a master and composer of ballets, retiring, in favour of Jean Georges Noverre, with a pension.

He was the lover of French ballerina Marie Allard and their son Auguste Vestris (1760–1842) was also considered the greatest male dancer of his time.

[4] Auguste made his debut at 12 with the Paris Opéra and was the company's leading dancer for 36 years.