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Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire

Birthday: 1899-05-10 | Place of Birth: Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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.

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

2019
Sid & Judy

as    Self (archive footage)

1981
Ghost Story

as    Ricky Hawthorne

1978
A Family Upside Down

as    Ted Long

1977
The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town

as    S.D. Kluger (narrator) (voice)

1976
The Amazing Dobermans

as    Daniel Hughes

1976
That's Entertainment, Part II

as    Self - Co-Host / Narrator

1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

as    Self (archive footage)

1974
The Towering Inferno

as    Harlee Claiborne

1974
That's Entertainment!

as    Self - Host / Narrator

1970
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

as    S.D. Kluger (voice)

1970
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again

as    The Baltimore Kid

1969
Midas Run

as    John Pedley

1968
Finian's Rainbow

as    Finian McLonergan

1962
The Notorious Landlady

as    Franklyn Ambruster

1961
Alcoa Premiere

as    Self - Host

1959
On the Beach

as    Julian Osborn

1957
Funny Face

as    Dick Avery

1957
Silk Stockings

as    Steve Canfield

1955
Daddy Long Legs

as    Jervis Pendleton III

1953
The Band Wagon

as    Tony Hunter

1952
The Belle of New York

as    Charlie Hill

1951
Royal Wedding

as    Tom Bowen

1950
Three Little Words

as    Bert Kalmar

1949
The Barkleys of Broadway

as    Josh Barkley

1948
Easter Parade

as    Don Hewes

1945
Yolanda and the Thief

as    Johnny Parkson Riggs

1945
Ziegfeld Follies

as    Various characters

1943
The Sky's the Limit

as    Fred Atwell (Fred Burton)

1942
Holiday Inn

as    Ted Hanover