Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire, was born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, an Austrian emigre, had made quite a success as a beer salesman and had married the charming and beautiful Ann Gelius. From the beginning, Fred and his older sister Adele were surrounded with music. They made their debut as the Astaires, a dancing duo. Astaire was Fred's paternal grandmother's maiden name. The children began to tour on the local Vaudeville circuit and they were soon a favorite in every town they played. Unfortunately, five years later, nature took it's course and Adele began to blossom and grow. Freddie, however, was still a lanky boy. Dancing together became, for the time, impossible. The Astaires were forced into hiatus while they waited for Fred to "catch up" to Adele. It wasn't long before the Ataires were back on the circuit again. The duo was spotted by several producers and enjoyed a very successful career both on Broadway and London. In London, Adele met and married Lord Cavendish, the second son of Duke of Devonshire. She quit the stage to begin a family. The Astaires were no more.
Fred with Ginger Rogers in "Carefree".
In New York Fred met and married a pretty young socialite name Phyllis Potter. It was at that time he started to test for motion pictures. After one of these tests, a producer gave him this now famous verdict: "Can't act, can't sing, balding. Can dance a little". Nevertheless, Fred was signed to a movie contract. In his second film, "Flying Down to Rio" he was teamed with a Hollywood newcomer, Ginger Rogers. The two hit the screen like lightning and ignited an exciting string of hits. Fred also starred with other leading ladies including Rita Hayworth, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, and Leslie Caron. While filming "Daddy Long Legs" in 1954, his beloved wife Phyllis died of cancer. Fred was crushed. He continued to dance in movies and became immensely popular on television with his new dancing partner Barrie Chase.
Fred with Paulette Goddard in "Second Chorus".
In 1974, Fred was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Towering Inferno." He also teamed up with his friend Gene Kelly in 1978 for the tremendously successful "That's Entertainment Part 2." That was the same year Fred began a relationship with a young female jockey named Robyn Smith. They were married in 1980. They lived quietly for the most part. They played backgammon, pool and occasionally Fred would dance when he heard a catchy tune on the radio or on the television program "Soul Train." When he was 75, he got fascinated with skateboards, took a nasty fall and broke his wrist. Fairly often, Robyn and Fred went to the horse track. He liked racing as much as Robyn, having once owned a string of thoroughbreds, among them a horse named Triplicate that won $250,000.
Fred enjoyed a full life but on June 22, 1987, died of complications from pneumonia in Robyn's arms. Fred Astaire was the embodiment of class and style-characteristics everyone should emulate.
Biography courtesy: The Fred Society.
Fred with Gene Kelly.
Crystal's Favorite Fred Astaire Films:
Swing Time (1936) - John Garnett
The Band Wagon (1953) - Tony Hunter
Funny Face (1957) - Dick Avery
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