Born in the United States, Steve Paxton began his career with a background in gymnastics before pursuing formal dance training with Merce Cunningham and José Limón. He emerged as a central figure in the avant-garde dance scene of the 1960s as a founding member of the Judson Dance Theater, where he collaborated with artists such as Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown.

Paxton is credited with naming and codifying Contact Improvisation in 1972, a practice that emphasizes spontaneous physical interaction and the exploration of weight-sharing between dancers. His work often challenged traditional performance structures, favoring collaborative experimentation and the investigation of natural physical laws over rigid choreography.

Throughout his career, Paxton remained a significant influence on contemporary dance and performance art. His legacy continues to be recognized through the ongoing performance and study of his techniques and his foundational role in the development of postmodern dance.