Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire

Born May 10, 1899 (Age: 126) Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Biography

Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, singer, actor and choreographer. He is widely regarded as the most influential dancer in the history of film. Born as Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 10, 1899, to Johanna (Geilus) and Fritz, a brewer, he entered show business at age 5. He was successful in vaudeville and on Broadway as well as in London's West End together with his sister Adele, a partnership that lasted 27 years. After Adele retired to marry in 1932, Astaire headed to Hollywood. Signed to RKO, he was loaned to MGM to appear in Dancing Lady (1933) before starting work on RKO's Flying Down to Rio (1933). In the latter film, he was teamed with Ginger Rogers, with whom he worked in 9 RKO pictures. Astaire later appeared opposite a number of partners, including Cyd Charisse, Rita Hayworth, Vera-Ellen and Barrie Chase. Astaire remained active well into old age, starring in musicals through 1968, and also performed a number of straight dramatic roles in film and TV. Throughout his career, he was also active in recording and radio. He died of pneumonia on June 22, 1987 in Los Angeles.
Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, singer, actor and choreographer. He is widely regarded as the most influential dancer in the history of film. Born as Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 10, 1899, to Johanna (Geilus) and Fritz, a brewer, he entered show business at age 5. He was successful in vaudeville and on Broadway as well as in London's West End together with his sister Adele, a partnership that lasted 27 years. After Adele retired to marry in 1932, Astaire headed to Hollywood. Signed to RKO, he was loaned to MGM to appear in Dancing Lady (1933) before starting work on RKO's Flying Down to Rio (1933). In the latter film, he was teamed with Ginger Rogers, with whom he worked in 9 RKO pictures. Astaire later appeared opposite a number of partners, including Cyd Charisse, Rita Hayworth, Vera-Ellen and Barrie Chase. Astaire remained active well into old age, starring in musicals through 1968, and also performed a number of straight dramatic roles in film and TV. Throughout his career, he was also active in recording and radio. He died of pneumonia on June 22, 1987 in Los Angeles.
Read more

Filmography

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing

2009 as (archive footage) Age: 110
No Image

Reunited at MGM: Astaire and Rogers Together Again

2005 as Self (archive footage) Age: 106
No Image

Easter Parade: On the Avenue

2005 as Self (Archive Footage) Age: 105
Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon'

Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon'

2005 as Self (archive footage) Age: 105
Doris Day: It's Magic

Doris Day: It's Magic

1998 as Self Age: 99
That's Entertainment! III

That's Entertainment! III

1994 as (archive footage) Age: 95
Audrey Hepburn: Remembered

Audrey Hepburn: Remembered

1993 as Self (archive footage) Age: 94
The Fred Astaire Songbook

The Fred Astaire Songbook

1991 as Self (archive footage) Age: 91
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story

1990 as Self (archive footage) Age: 91
Dance Crazy in Hollywood

Dance Crazy in Hollywood

1990 as Various Roles (archive footage) Age: 90
Rain Man

Rain Man

1988 as Self (archived footage) Age: 89
George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey

George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey

1985 as Self Age: 85
That's Dancing!

That's Dancing!

1985 as Self (archive footage) Age: 85
Ghost Story

Ghost Story

1981 as Ricky Hawthorne Age: 82
A Family Upside Down

A Family Upside Down

1978 as Ted Long Age: 78
That's Entertainment, Part II

That's Entertainment, Part II

1976 as Self - Co-Host / Narrator Age: 77
Hooray for Hollywood

Hooray for Hollywood

1976 as Self (archive footage) Age: 76
The Towering Inferno

The Towering Inferno

1974 as Harlee Claiborne Age: 75
That's Entertainment!

That's Entertainment!

1974 as Self - Host / Narrator Age: 75
The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli

The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli

1973 as Self (archive footage) Age: 73
Imagine

Imagine

1972 as Self Age: 73
No Image

S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin

1972 as Self Age: 72
Hollywood: The Dream Factory

Hollywood: The Dream Factory

1972 as Self (archive footage) Age: 72
Midas Run

Midas Run

1969 as John Pedley Age: 69
Finian's Rainbow

Finian's Rainbow

1968 as Finian McLonergan Age: 69
The Fred Astaire Show

The Fred Astaire Show

1968 as Self - Host Age: 68
The World Premiere of 'Finian's Rainbow'

The World Premiere of 'Finian's Rainbow'

1968 as Self Age: 68
Flashing Spikes

Flashing Spikes

1962 as Narrator Age: 63
The Notorious Landlady

The Notorious Landlady

1962 as Franklyn Ambruster Age: 62
The Pleasure of His Company

The Pleasure of His Company

1961 as Biddeford 'Pogo' Poole Age: 62
Astaire Time

Astaire Time

1960 as Self - Host Age: 61
On the Beach

On the Beach

1959 as Julian Osborn Age: 60
Another Evening with Fred Astaire

Another Evening with Fred Astaire

1959 as Self Age: 60
An Evening with Fred Astaire

An Evening with Fred Astaire

1958 as Self Age: 59
Stars of Cabaret

Stars of Cabaret

1956 as Self (archive footage) Age: 56
Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs

1955 as Jervis Pendleton III Age: 55
The Band Wagon

The Band Wagon

1953 as Tony Hunter Age: 54
Let's Dance

Let's Dance

1950 as Donald Elwood Age: 51
Three Little Words

Three Little Words

1950 as Bert Kalmar Age: 51
Yolanda and the Thief

Yolanda and the Thief

1945 as Johnny Parkson Riggs Age: 46
Ziegfeld Follies

Ziegfeld Follies

1945 as Fred Astaire / Raffles / Tai Long / Gentleman Age: 46
You Were Never Lovelier

You Were Never Lovelier

1942 as Robert Davis Age: 43
Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn

1942 as Ted Hanover Age: 43
Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)

Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)

1942 as Self Age: 42
You'll Never Get Rich

You'll Never Get Rich

1941 as Robert Curtis Age: 42
Second Chorus

Second Chorus

1941 as Danny O'Neill Age: 41