Fred Astaire
Born May 10, 1899 (Age: 126)
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Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Biography
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.
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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Filmography
That's Entertainment! III
1994
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as (archive footage)
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Age: 95
The Fred Astaire Songbook
1991
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 91
Dance Crazy in Hollywood
1990
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as Various Roles (archive footage)
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Age: 90
Rain Man
1988
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as Self (archived footage)
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Age: 89
That's Entertainment, Part II
1976
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as Self - Co-Host / Narrator
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Age: 77
The Towering Inferno
1974
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as Harlee Claiborne
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Age: 75
That's Entertainment!
1974
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as Self - Host / Narrator
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Age: 75
Finian's Rainbow
1968
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as Finian McLonergan
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Age: 69
The World Premiere of 'Finian's Rainbow'
1968
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as Self
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Age: 68
The Pleasure of His Company
1961
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as Biddeford 'Pogo' Poole
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Age: 62
Astaire Time
1960
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as Self - Host
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Age: 61
On the Beach
1959
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as Julian Osborn
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Age: 60
Another Evening with Fred Astaire
1959
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as Self
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Age: 60
An Evening with Fred Astaire
1958
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as Self
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Age: 59
Stars of Cabaret
1956
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 56
The Band Wagon
1953
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as Tony Hunter
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Age: 54
Three Little Words
1950
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as Bert Kalmar
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Age: 51
Yolanda and the Thief
1945
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as Johnny Parkson Riggs
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Age: 46
Ziegfeld Follies
1945
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as Fred Astaire / Raffles / Tai Long / Gentleman
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Age: 46
You Were Never Lovelier
1942
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as Robert Davis
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Age: 43
Holiday Inn
1942
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as Ted Hanover
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Age: 43
Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)
1942
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as Self
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Age: 42
You'll Never Get Rich
1941
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as Robert Curtis
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Age: 42
Second Chorus
1941
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as Danny O'Neill
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Age: 41