Fred Astaire was an American dancer, choreographer, singer, musician and actor, who revolutionised the American musical films
Fred Astaire
@Choreographers, Birthday and Childhood
May 10, 1899
Biography
Personal Details
- Birthday: May 10, 1899
- Died on: June 22, 1987
- Nationality: American
- Famous: Left Handed, Dancers, Choreographers, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Musicians, Singers
- Spouses: Phyllis Potter, Robyn Smith
- Siblings: Adele Astaire
- Known as: Frederick Austerlitz, Fred Astair, Frederic Austerlitz Jr., Frederic Austerlitz Jr.
Fred Astaire born at
Omaha
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Birth Place
Fred Astaire married New York socialite Phyllis Potter in 1933. His mother and sister were against this relationship, yet he vehemently pursued Phyllis for two years before she finally said yes. They had two children, Fred Jr and Ava. Phyllis died of lung cancer in 1954.
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Personal Life
His second marriage on June 24, 1980 was to a jockey named Robyn Smith who was 45 years younger than him.
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Personal Life
He, accompanied by Bing Crosby, George Murphy, Ginger Rogers and some others founded the Hollywood Republican Committee.
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Personal Life
Fred Astaire was born on May 10, 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska, US. His father Fredric 'Fritz' Austerlitz was a brewer at the Storz Brewing Company and his mother was Johanna Ann. Fred's elder sister's name was Adele.
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Childhood & Early Life
Adele was an instinctive dancer and singer. She paired up with Fred to perform brother and sister acts - his durability and her talent being their collective strength.
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Childhood & Early Life
The family shifted to New York City in 1905 to launch the children's show business career and their surnames were changed to Astaire. They were trained at the Alviene Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts.
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Childhood & Early Life
The duo debuted in New Jersey with the act called 'Juvenile Artists Presenting an Electric Musical Toe-Dancing Novelty'. The performance received appreciation in the local papers.
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Career
They gained more fame after performing at the Orpheum Circuit and a couple of other locations in the US. Thereafter, they had to go on a two year break to avoid child labour laws.
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Career
Adele's marriage (1932) to Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish broke up the duo and Fred was left traumatised. But this turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he now expanded his range and could also create romantic acts as well.
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Career
His first audition was for RKO Radio pictures, which was unsuccessful. His Hollywood debut was in the MGM-produced film 'Dancing Lady'(1933) starring Joan Crawford.
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Career
He returned to RKO in the film 'Flying Down to Rio' (1933). He was paired with Ginger Rogers for the first time in this film, and in spite of being a part of the supporting cast, the couple stole the show. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers became a very popular on-screen pair following this.
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Career
His 1958 musical special 'An Evening with Fred Astaire' won nine Emmy Awards, including the ones for 'Best Single Performer by an Actor' and 'Most Outstanding Single Program of the Year'.
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Major Works