Fred Astaire

Frederick Austerlitz
1899 - 1987
American born Omaha, Nebraska

Height 5' 9" (1.75 m) . The son of an Austrian immigrant, Fred Astaire entered show business at age 5. He was successful both in vaudeville and on Broadway in partnership with his sister, Adele Astaire. 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 began his highly successful partnership with Ginger Rogers, with whom he danced in 9 RKO pictures. During these years, he was also active in recording and radio. On film, Astaire later appeared opposite a number of partners through various studios. After a temporary retirement in 1945-7, during which he opened Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Astaire returned to film to star in more musicals through 1957. He subsequently performed a number of straight dramatic roles in film and TV. Robyn Smith (27 June 1980 - 22 June 1987) (his death), Phyllis Livingston Potter (12 July 1933 - 13 September 1954) (her death) 2 children.

Ghost Story (1981) , The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979), "Battlestar Galactica"(1979) ,A Family Upside Down (1978) , The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town (1977) , Un taxi mauve (1977) , The Amazing Dobermans (1976) , The Towering Inferno (1974) , Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) , The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (1970) , Midas Run (1969) , "It Takes a Thief" (1968) , Finian's Rainbow (1968) , "Dr. Kildare" (1965) , The Tent Dwellers (1965) , A Gift of Love (1965) , Fathers and Daughters (1965) , Think Pretty (1964) , "Alcoa Premiere"(1962) , Mr. Lucifer (1962) , Guest in the House (1962) , Mr. Easy (1962) , Moment of Decision (1961) , The Notorious Landlady (1962) , The Pleasure of His Company (1961) , On the Beach (1959) , Man on a Bicycle (1959) , Imp on a Cobweb Leash (1957) , Silk Stockings (1957) , Funny Face (1957) , Daddy Long Legs (1955) , The Band Wagon (1953) , The Belle of New York (1952) , Royal Wedding (1951) , Let's Dance (1950) , Three Little Words (1950) , The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) , Easter Parade (1948) , Blue Skies (1946) , Ziegfeld Follies (1946) , Yolanda and the Thief (1945) , The Sky's the Limit (1943) , You Were Never Lovelier (1942), Holiday Inn (1942) , You'll Never Get Rich (1941) , Second Chorus (1940) , Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) , The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) , Carefree (1938) , A Damsel in Distress (1937) , Shall We Dance (1937) , Swing Time (1936) , Follow the Fleet (1936) , Top Hat (1935) , Roberta (1935) , The Gay Divorcee (1934) , Flying Down to Rio (1933)