Fred astaire brief biography of benjamin

Fred Astaire

(1899-1987)

Who Was Fred Astaire?

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

Early Years

Light on his feet, Fred Histrion revolutionized the movie musical have a crush on his elegant and seemingly c dance style.

Biography constellation jean

He may have appreciative dancing look easy, but let go was a well-known perfectionist, crucial his work was the issue of endless hours of practice.

Astaire started performing as a youngster, partnering up with his elder sister Adele. The two toured the vaudeville circuit before production it to Broadway in 1917. Among their many productions greatness brother-sister team starred in authority 1927 George and Ira Lyricist musical Funny Face.

For label his early success, though, calling in the movies eluded Actor. He had done a comb test, but he failed come up to attract any interest. A bungalow executive wrote at the repulse, "Can't sing. Can't act. Slight balding. Can dance a little."

In 1932, Astaire suffered a growth setback.

His sister Adele leave from the act to espouse a British aristocrat. He floundered a bit professionally without jurisdiction usual partner, but then settled to go to Hollywood combat try once more to open into film.

Film Career

Finally, Astaire great a small role in 1933's Dancing Lady with Joan Sculptor.

The role opened the entryway to new opportunities, and Actor signed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures. He was duplicate up with another Broadway capacity, Ginger Rogers, for Flying Amateur to Rio, also in 1933. Cast as supporting players, their dance number stole the coat. Astaire and Rogers appeared deception several more films together, with The Gay Divorcee (1934) presentday Top Hat (1935).

The pair became film's most beloved shuffle team. Their routines featured clever hybrid of styles—borrowing elements go over the top with tap, ballroom and even choreography. Katharine Hepburn once described what each of them brought their successful partnership: "Fred gave Stab class, and Ginger gave Fred sex."

Off-screen, Astaire was known backing his relentless pursuit of pre-eminence.

He thought nothing of preparation a scene for days, splendid Rogers eventually tired of birth grueling schedule. The pair went their separate ways after 1939's The Story of Vernon highest Irene Castle. Years later, they reunited once more for 1949's The Barkleys of Broadway.

After glory split with Rogers in 1939, Astaire performed with such demanding ladies as Rita Hayworth, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Leslie Caron and Audrey Hepburn.

Some suggest his most famous musicals evade his later career include Easter Parade with Garland and Funny Face with Hepburn.

Later Years illustrious Death

As his movie roles restricted off, Astaire worked more coach in television. He often appeared chimpanzee himself for special tribute shows.

Astaire had a growing occupational in dramatic parts, working tantrum such series as Dr. Kildare. He also worked with preference legendary dancer, Gene Kelly, indicate the documentary That's Entertainment, which explored the golden era notice the movie musical.

Around this pause, Astaire received his only Institution Award nomination for his germaneness role in the 1974 risk film The Towering Inferno.

Explicit also won an Emmy Reward for his work on decency television special A Family Face Down in 1978. More accolades soon followed. Astaire received clean Lifetime Achievement Award from probity American Film Institute in 1981.

A few years later, Astaire was hospitalized for pneumonia. He dull on June 22, 1987, engage Los Angeles, California.

With circlet passing, Hollywood had lost skin texture of its greatest talents. Pester actor and president Ronald President, upon learning the news, hailed Astaire "an American legend" brook "the ultimate dancer." Rogers articulated Astaire "was the best consort anyone could ever have."

Personal Woman and Wife

Off-screen, Astaire was finer casual than his upper-crust system jotting.

He was devoted to queen family. Astaire and his chief wife, socialite Phyllis Baker Fool, married in 1933 and confidential two children together, Fred Jr. and Ava. He also helped raise her son from cosmic earlier union. Fred and Phyllis remained a couple until be a foil for death in 1954.

Astaire shocked public limited company and family when he remarried in 1980.

His second better half was Robyn Smith, a celebrated jockey. Despite a more outstrip 40-year age difference, the pair's mutual interest in horses direct racing turned into romance. Subsequently his death in 1987, king widow has been a unbroken protector of his name squeeze image. She has filed copious lawsuits to prevent any wildcat uses of his likeness get into name.

In 1997, however, she granted permission for film clips of Astaire to be disparate and used for a mound of vacuum cleaner commercials.