Real Name:Frederic Austerlitz Jr.
Birthdate: May 10,1899
Birthplace:Omaha, Nebraska
Deathdate:June 22,1987
Deathplace:Los Angeles, California
Cause Of Death:Pneumonia
Wifes:
'Phyllis Livingston Potter' (1932 - 1954) (widowed)
Smith, Robyn (1980 - 1987) (his death)
Children:1 son Fred Jr., 1 daughter Ava
Height:5'9"
The only time Astaire and Gene Kelly ever danced together on screen (other than the compilation 1974 movie, "That's Entertainment") was in one routine, titled "The Babbitt and the Bromide" in the 1946 movie "Ziegfeld Follies."
The evaluation of Astaire's first screen test: "Can't act. Can't sing. Balding. Can dance a little."
Astaire starred in Broadway versions of _Lady, Be Good!_ in 1924, _Funny Face_ in 1927, _The Band Wagon_ in 1931, and _The Gay Divorce_ in 1932.
Astaire disguised his very large hands by curling his middle two fingers while dancing.
First met lifelong best friend Irving Berlin on the set of Top Hat (1935).
After Blue Skies (1946), New York's Paramount Theater generated a petition of 10,000 names to persuade him to come out of retirement.
