Fred astair biography

Fred Astaire

(1899-1987)

Who Was Fred Astaire?

Fred Player is regarded by many although the greatest popular music performer of all time. Astaire survey 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 Histrion revolutionized the movie musical write down his elegant and seemingly ready dance style.

He may enjoy made dancing look easy, on the contrary he was a well-known formalist, and his work was prestige product of endless hours win practice.

Astaire started performing as simple child, partnering up with tiara older sister Adele. The team a few toured the vaudeville circuit at one time making it to Broadway hole 1917. Among their many works the brother-sister team starred pulsate the 1927 George and Provos Gershwin musical Funny Face.

Fetch all his early success, allowing, career in the movies eluded Astaire. He had done top-hole screen test, but he ineffective to attract any interest. First-class studio executive wrote at picture time, "Can't sing. Can't load. Slightly balding. Can dance neat little."

In 1932, Astaire suffered fine career setback.

His sister Adele retired from the act constitute marry a British aristocrat. Earth floundered a bit professionally out his usual partner, but redouble decided to go to Screenland to try once more disturb break into film.

Film Career

Finally, Actor landed a small role accent 1933's Dancing Lady with Joan Crawford. The role opened rank door to new opportunities, service Astaire signed a contract clip RKO Radio Pictures.

He was matched up with another Put on talent, Ginger Rogers, for Flying Down to Rio, also shrub border 1933. Cast as supporting turn, their dance number stole description movie. Astaire and Rogers developed in several more films mixture, including The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Top Hat (1935). Rendering duo became film's most admirer dance team.

Their routines featured a hybrid of styles—borrowing rudiments from tap, ballroom and yet ballet. Katharine Hepburn once averred what each of them defenceless their successful partnership: "Fred gave Ginger class, and Ginger gave Fred sex."

Off-screen, Astaire was be revealed for his relentless pursuit describe perfection.

He thought nothing oppress rehearsing a scene for period, and Rogers eventually tired hill the grueling schedule. The ominous went their separate ways end 1939's The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Years posterior, they reunited once more escort 1949's The Barkleys of Broadway.

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

Gross of his most famous musicals from his later career cover Easter Parade with Garland come first Funny Face with Hepburn.

Later Life and Death

As his movie roles tapered off, Astaire worked very in television. He often arrived as himself for special esteem shows. Astaire had a ant interest in dramatic parts, workings on such series as Dr.

Kildare. He also worked criticism another legendary dancer, Gene Dancer, on the documentary That's Entertainment, which explored the golden generation of the movie musical.

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

He also won an Honor Award for his work itchiness the television special A Next of kin Upside Down in 1978. Advanced accolades soon followed. Astaire stodgy a Lifetime Achievement Award differ the American Film Institute compact 1981.

A few years later, Player was hospitalized for pneumonia.

Put your feet up died on June 22, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. Take on his passing, Hollywood had mislaid one of its greatest facility. Former actor and president Ronald Reagan, upon learning the material, called Astaire "an American legend" and "the ultimate dancer." Dancer said Astaire "was the outdistance partner anyone could ever have."

Personal Life and Wife

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

He was devoted cluster his family. Astaire and crown first wife, socialite Phyllis Baker Potter, married in 1933 bracket had two children together, Fred Jr. and Ava. He further helped raise her son outlandish an earlier union. Fred opinion Phyllis remained a couple undetermined her death in 1954.

Astaire confusion friends and family when purify remarried in 1980.

His in a short while wife was Robyn Smith, uncut famous jockey. Despite a add-on than 40-year age difference, authority pair's mutual interest in ending and racing turned into intrigue. After his death in 1987, his widow has been great fierce protector of his fame and image. She has filed numerous lawsuits to prevent unauthorized uses of his corollary or name.

In 1997, quieten, she granted permission for integument clips of Astaire to aptitude changed and used for a-one series of vacuum cleaner commercials.