archytele The Vault

Fred Astaire

Acting Born May 10, 1899 Died Jun 22, 1987 Omaha, Nebraska, USA 136 credits

Biography

Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, singer, actor and choreographer widely regarded as the most influential dancer in film history. Born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska, he was the son of Johanna (Geilus) and Fritz, a brewer. He entered show business at age five and achieved success in vaudeville, on Broadway and in London’s West End alongside his sister Adele, a partnership that lasted twenty‑seven years until her retirement in 1932. Astaire then moved to Hollywood, signing with RKO and being loaned to MGM for the 1933 film Dancing Lady before beginning work on RKO’s Flying Down to Rio (1933). The TMDB records list him as male, with 125 acting credits.

Sources & verification Fred Astaire — The Movie Database (TMDB) How Archytele verifies pages
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Career

Career overview

Fred Astaire was born Frederick Austerlitz on May 10, 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Johanna (Geilus) and Fritz, a brewer. He entered show business at the age of five and built a long‑running stage partnership with his sister Adele. Together they performed successfully in vaudeville, on Broadway and in London’s West End, a collaboration that lasted twenty‑seven years. After Adele retired to marry in 1932, Astaire moved to Hollywood to pursue a film career.

In Hollywood Astaire signed with RKO Pictures. The studio loaned him to MGM for a role in the 1933 production Dancing Lady. He then began work on RKO’s Flying Down to Rio (1933), where he was paired with a new on‑screen partner. Throughout his film career Astaire accumulated a total of 125 acting credits, as recorded by the Motion Picture Database. He is widely regarded as the most influential dancer in the history of film, a reputation that grew alongside his extensive work as an actor, singer and choreographer.

Astaire continued to work in motion pictures until his death on June 22, 1987, at the age of 88. His legacy as an American performer is reflected in his extensive filmography and the lasting impact of his dance and acting style on subsequent generations of entertainers.

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Known for

Film

That's Entertainment! III

as (archive footage)
Film

The Purple Rose of Cairo

1985
Film

Ghost Story

as Ricky Hawthorne

Battlestar Galactica

as Chameleon / Captain Dimitri

The Kennedy Center Honors

as Self

Dünya Hali

as Daniel Hughes

Dinah!

as Self
Film

The Towering Inferno

as Harlee Claiborne
Film

That's Entertainment!

as Self - Host / Narrator

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

as Self
Film

Imagine

as Self
Film

The Fugitive Kind

as Self

Frequent co-stars

Bess Flowers 5 shared titles
James Stewart 3 shared titles
Bert Stevens 3 shared titles
Cyd Charisse 3 shared titles
Robert Wagner 2 shared titles
Al Bain 2 shared titles
Ricardo Montalban 2 shared titles
John Wayne 2 shared titles
Jack Lemmon 2 shared titles
Audrey Hepburn 2 shared titles

Career timeline

Gene Kelly - An American in Hollywood
Sid & Judy
La La La
Fred Astaire donne le 'la'Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred Astaire
Perspectives: For the Love of Fred Astaire
Sem Título #1: Dance of LeitfossilBing Crosby: Rediscovered
Talking Pictures
Astaire and Rogers Sing the Great American Songbook
1939: Hollywood's Greatest YearHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and SingingHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression
Astaire and Rogers: Partners in Rhythm"All -Singing All-Dancing" Before And After
Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon'Easter Parade: On the AvenueReunited at MGM: Astaire and Rogers Together Again
Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and SilkComplicated WomenCole Porter in Hollywood: Begin the Beguine
Hollywood Musicals of the 40's
Doris Day: It's MagicA Bing Crosby Christmas
Vaudeville
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
That's Entertainment! III
Audrey Hepburn: Remembered
The Fred Astaire Songbook
Dance Crazy in HollywoodYou're the Top: The Cole Porter Story
The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood
The Purple Rose of Cairo · ThanksThat's Dancing!George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Showbiz Goes to War
Ghost Story
Fred Astaire
The Man in the Santa Claus Suit
Battlestar GalacticaThe Kennedy Center HonorsA Family Upside Down
The Purple TaxiThe Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town
That's Entertainment, Part IIThe Amazing DobermansHooray for Hollywood

Full filmography

  • Gene Kelly - An American in Hollywood (2025) as Self (archive footage)
  • Sid & Judy (2019) as Self (archive footage)
  • La La La (2018) as Various Roles (archive footage)
  • Fred Astaire donne le 'la' (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred Astaire (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • Perspectives: For the Love of Fred Astaire (2015) as (archive footage)
  • Sem Título #1: Dance of Leitfossil (2014) as Self (archive footage)
  • Bing Crosby: Rediscovered (2014) as Self (archive footage)
  • Talking Pictures (2013) as Self (archive footage)
  • Astaire and Rogers Sing the Great American Songbook (2010) as Self (archive footage)
  • 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year (2009) as Self (archive footage)
  • Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing (2009) as (archive footage)
  • Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (2009) as Self (archive footage)
  • Astaire and Rogers: Partners in Rhythm (2006) as Various / Self (archive footage)
  • "All -Singing All-Dancing" Before And After (2006) as Archive Footage
  • Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon' (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Easter Parade: On the Avenue (2005) as Self (Archive Footage)
  • Reunited at MGM: Astaire and Rogers Together Again (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and Silk (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • Cole Porter in Hollywood: Begin the Beguine (2003)
  • Hollywood Musicals of the 40's (2000) as Self (archive footage)
  • Doris Day: It's Magic (1998) as Self
  • A Bing Crosby Christmas (1998) as Self (archive footage)
  • Vaudeville (1997) as Self (archive footage)
  • The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995) as Self (archive footage)
  • That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
  • Audrey Hepburn: Remembered (1993) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Fred Astaire Songbook (1991) as Self (archive footage)
  • Dance Crazy in Hollywood (1990) as Various Roles (archive footage)
  • You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story (1990) as Self (archive footage)
  • The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood (1987) as Self
  • The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) Thanks
  • That's Dancing! (1985) as Self (archive footage)
  • George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1985) as Self
  • Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984) as (archive footage)
  • Showbiz Goes to War (1982) as Self (archive footage)
  • Ghost Story (1981) as Ricky Hawthorne
  • Fred Astaire (1980) as Self
  • The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979) as Santa Claus
  • Battlestar Galactica (1978) as Chameleon / Captain Dimitri
  • The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
  • A Family Upside Down (1978) as Ted Long
  • The Purple Taxi (1977) as Dr. Seamus Scully
  • The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town (1977) as S.D. Kluger (narrator) (voice)
  • That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as Self - Co-Host / Narrator
  • The Amazing Dobermans (1976) as Daniel Hughes
  • Hooray for Hollywood (1976) as Self (archive footage)
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Lion Roars Again (1975) as Self
  • Dinah! (1974) as Self
  • The Towering Inferno (1974) as Harlee Claiborne
  • That's Entertainment! (1974) as Self - Host / Narrator
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
  • The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli (1973) as Self (archive footage)
  • Imagine (1972) as Self
  • Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972) as Self (archive footage)
  • S Wonderful, 'S Marvelous, 'S Gershwin (1972) as Self
  • Film '72 (1971) as Self
  • Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) as S.D. Kluger (voice)
  • The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (1970) as The Baltimore Kid
  • Midas Run (1969) as John Pedley
  • The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
  • It Takes a Thief (1968) as Alister Mundy
  • It Takes a Thief (1968) as Alistair Mundy (voice) (uncredited)
  • Finian's Rainbow (1968) as Finian McLonergan
  • The Fred Astaire Show (1968) as Self - Host
  • The World Premiere of 'Finian's Rainbow' (1968) as Self
  • Omnibus (1967)
  • Paris When It Sizzles (1964) Vocals
  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Fred Addams
  • Hollywood and the Stars (1963) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Notorious Landlady (1962) as Franklyn Ambruster
  • Flashing Spikes (1962) as Narrator
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Guest
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
  • Dr. Kildare (1961) as Joe Quinlan
  • Alcoa Premiere (1961) as Self - Host
  • The Pleasure of His Company (1961) as Biddeford 'Pogo' Poole
  • Astaire Time (1960) as Self
  • Astaire Time (1960) Producer
  • On the Beach (1959) as Julian Osborn
  • Another Evening with Fred Astaire (1959) as Self
  • An Evening with Fred Astaire (1958) as Self
  • An Evening with Fred Astaire (1958) Executive Producer
  • Funny Face (1957) as Dick Avery
  • Funny Face (1957) Choreographer
  • Silk Stockings (1957) as Steve Canfield
  • The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
  • Cinépanorama (1956) as Self
  • Stars of Cabaret (1956) as Self (archive footage)
  • MGM Parade (1955) as actor 'Broadway Melody of 1940' (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • MGM Parade (1955) as Performer in 'Ziegfeld Follies'
  • Daddy Long Legs (1955) as Jervis Pendleton III
  • Daddy Long Legs (1955) Choreographer
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • The Band Wagon (1953) as Tony Hunter
  • General Electric Theater (1953) as J. Willingham Bardley
  • General Electric Theater (1953) as Paul Ashcroft
  • The Belle of New York (1952) as Charlie Hill
  • Royal Wedding (1951) as Tom Bowen
  • What's My Line? (1950) as Self
  • Let's Dance (1950) as Donald Elwood
  • Three Little Words (1950) as Bert Kalmar
  • The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
  • The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) as Josh Barkley
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • Easter Parade (1948) as Don Hewes
  • Easter Parade (1948) Choreographer
  • Blue Skies (1946) as Jed Potter
  • Ziegfeld Follies (1945) as Fred Astaire / Raffles / Tai Long / Gentleman
  • Yolanda and the Thief (1945) as Johnny Parkson Riggs
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee /Presenter
  • Twenty Years After (1944) as (archive footage)
  • The Sky's the Limit (1943) as Fred Atwell (Fred Burton)
  • The Sky's the Limit (1943) Choreographer
  • You Were Never Lovelier (1942) as Robert Davis
  • Holiday Inn (1942) as Ted Hanover
  • Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10) (1942) as Self
  • Second Chorus (1941) as Danny O'Neill
  • You'll Never Get Rich (1941) as Robert Curtis
  • Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) as Johnny Brett
  • The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) as Vernon Castle
  • Carefree (1938) as Tony Flagg
  • Shall We Dance (1937) as Petrov
  • A Damsel in Distress (1937) as Jerry Halliday
  • Swing Time (1936) as Lucky Garnett
  • Follow the Fleet (1936) as Bake Baker
  • Top Hat (1935) as Jerry Travers
  • Roberta (1935) as Huck Haines
  • Roberta (1935) Choreographer
  • The Gay Divorcee (1934) as Guy Holden
  • Dancing Lady (1933) as Fred Astaire
  • Flying Down to Rio (1933) as Fred Ayres