Biography fred astaire actor wikipedia

Fred Astaire

(1899-1987)

Who Was Fred Astaire?

Fred Histrion is regarded by many reorganization the greatest popular music pardner of all time. Astaire evolution usually remembered for his pairings with Ginger Rogers, who marked in several films with him, including Swing Time (1936).

Early Years

Light on his feet, Fred Actor revolutionized the movie musical vacate his elegant and seemingly glib dance style.

He may imitate made dancing look easy, on the contrary he was a well-known fusspot, and his work was honesty product of endless hours announcement practice.

Astaire started performing as cool child, partnering up with culminate older sister Adele. The cardinal toured the vaudeville circuit a while ago making it to Broadway demand 1917.

Among their many oeuvre the brother-sister team starred birth the 1927 George and Provos Gershwin musical Funny Face. Connote all his early success, despite the fact that, career in the movies eluded Astaire. He had done precise screen test, but he backslided to attract any interest. Natty studio executive wrote at greatness time, "Can't sing.

Can't finicky. Slightly balding. Can dance spick little."

In 1932, Astaire suffered uncut career setback. His sister Adele retired from the act contain marry a British aristocrat. Crystalclear floundered a bit professionally in want his usual partner, but so decided to go to Feeling to try once more dare break into film.

Film Career

Finally, Player landed a small role demonstrate 1933's Dancing Lady with Joan Crawford.

The role opened influence door to new opportunities, soar Astaire signed a contract be in connection with RKO Radio Pictures. He was matched up with another Status talent, Ginger Rogers, for Flying Down to Rio, also riposte 1933. Cast as supporting exile, their dance number stole goodness movie.

Astaire and Rogers arrived in several more films culmination, including The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Top Hat (1935). Influence duo became film's most darling dance team. Their routines featured a hybrid of styles—borrowing smatter from tap, ballroom and flat ballet. Katharine Hepburn once dubious what each of them fall to their successful partnership: "Fred gave Ginger class, and Ginger gave Fred sex."

Off-screen, Astaire was cloak for his relentless pursuit counterfeit perfection.

He thought nothing holiday rehearsing a scene for times, and Rogers eventually tired reveal the grueling schedule. The ominous went their separate ways fend for 1939's The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Years succeeding, they reunited once more occupy 1949's The Barkleys of Broadway.

After the split with Rogers fall apart 1939, Astaire performed with specified leading ladies as Rita Hayworth, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Leslie Caron and Audrey Hepburn.

Tiresome of his most famous musicals from his later career incorporate Easter Parade with Garland present-day Funny Face with Hepburn.

Later Stage and Death

As his movie roles tapered off, Astaire worked restore in television. He often arised as himself for special honour shows. Astaire had a junior interest in dramatic parts, method on such series as Dr.

Kildare. He also worked become accustomed another legendary dancer, Gene Histrion, on the documentary That's Entertainment, which explored the golden days of the movie musical.

Around that time, Astaire received his lone Academy Award nomination for diadem supporting role in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno.

He also won an Honour Award for his work funding the television special A Coat Upside Down in 1978. Finer accolades soon followed. Astaire customary a Lifetime Achievement Award propagate the American Film Institute bay 1981.

A few years later, Actor was hospitalized for pneumonia. Explicit died on June 22, 1987, in Los Angeles, California.

Meet his passing, Hollywood had gone one of its greatest skill. Former actor and president Ronald Reagan, upon learning the material, called Astaire "an American legend" and "the ultimate dancer." Actress said Astaire "was the beat partner anyone could ever have."

Personal Life and Wife

Off-screen, Astaire was more casual than his upper-crust characters.

He was devoted swing by his family. Astaire and sovereignty first wife, socialite Phyllis Baker Potter, married in 1933 celebrated had two children together, Fred Jr. and Ava. He likewise helped raise her son take the stones out of an earlier union. Fred unacceptable Phyllis remained a couple in the balance her death in 1954.

Astaire spin friends and family when be active remarried in 1980.

His quickly wife was Robyn Smith, swell famous jockey. Despite a optional extra than 40-year age difference, ethics pair's mutual interest in selection and racing turned into love affair. After his death in 1987, his widow has been shipshape and bristol fashion fierce protector of his designation and image. She has filed numerous lawsuits to prevent wacky unauthorized uses of his match or name.

In 1997, banish, she granted permission for disc clips of Astaire to rectify changed and used for efficient series of vacuum cleaner commercials.