Fred Astaire
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.
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Full filmography
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Guest
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee /Presenter
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Fred Addams
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Joe Quinlan
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Omnibus (1967)
- Battlestar Galactica (1978) as Chameleon / Captain Dimitri
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self
- MGM Parade (1955) as actor 'Broadway Melody of 1940' (archive footage) (uncredited)
- MGM Parade (1955) as Performer in 'Ziegfeld Follies'
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Alister Mundy
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Alistair Mundy (voice) (uncredited)
- Alcoa Premiere (1961) as Self - Host
- Talking Pictures (2013) as Self (archive footage)