Fred Astaire Biography

Puttin' on the Ritz

It was 1905 when hard times fell upon the Austerlitz’s family. Frederic Austerlitz, a traveling salesman, lost his job at an unfortunate time when unemployment rates were high and opportunity was scarce. The Austerlitz’s found chance in their daughter Adele Marie’s dancing talent. Adele Marie was eighteen months older than Frederic, but she was graceful and surefooted on the stage. Adele and Frederic were both regular students at ballet school, but the exposure in Nebraska could not rival the big lights of the city. In a bold move, Frederic and Johanna Austerlitz picked their family up and relocated from their home state of Nebraska to New York, where Adele would continue dancing school and hopefully be exposed to stardom. Adele was the family’s only golden ticket.

Once enrolled in a New York ballet school run by Ned Wayburn, Frederic’s passion for dance began to shine. Their dance instructor suggested the children form a vaudeville talent act. The spellbinding duo lit up the stage with both their effortless energy and charisma.

Adele Marie was still considered the family’s golden ticket, her commitment to dance and her dedication to her craft was inarguable. Despite the family’s faith in their daughter Adele's knack, it was that fateful day when brother Frederic snuck into a pair of his sister’s ballet shoes that a star was born. After relating the difficult act of walking on his tiptoes, “as simple as that,” the world knew it would be Fred Astaire who would eventually ‘put on the Ritz.’

Music in Motion

Fred Astaire’s stage name came about when the family combined Johanna’s maiden name with an aunt’s name. Fred and sister Adele Astaire danced to stardom together and became marvels in the entertainment industry.

Some called it class, others called it charm. When Fred Astaire tap danced, the world watched. Fred’s body was a fluid and synergetic instrument that danced to the beat of any drum. What Fred lacked physically he certainly made up for in charm and grace.

Sister Adele married and retired in 1932, leaving Fred Astaire solo. Fred moved to Hollywood and auditioned for the big screen. In 1933, Fred’s first original screen test review read: "Can't act. Slightly bald. Also dances." Despite a failing first impression, Fred was signed for his first work, Dancing Lady in 1933. The rest as they say, is history.

The Greatest Entertainer

Noted as the 23rd Greatest Movie Star of all Time by Premiere Magazine, Fred Astaire branded the top hat and tails as he continued to illuminate the big screen with the likes of Ginger Rogers and Rita Hayworth. Fred Astaire appeared in the following musical films during his career:

• Dancing Lady (1933)
• Flying Down to Rio (1933)
• The Gay Divorcee (1934)
• Roberta (1935)
• Top Hat (1935)
• Follow the Fleet (1936)
• Swing Time (1936)
• Shall We Dance (1937)
• A Damsel in Distress
• Carefree (1938)
• The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)
• Broadway Melody of 1940
• Second Chorus
• You'll Never Get Rich
• Holiday Inn (1942)
• You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
• The Sky's the Limit (1943)
• Yolanda and the Thief (1945)
• Ziegfeld Follies (1946)
• Blue Skies (1946)
• Easter Parade (1948)
• The Barkleys of Broadway (1949)
• Three Little Words (1950)
• Let's Dance (1950)
• Royal Wedding (1951)
• The Belle of New York (1952)
• The Band Wagon (1953)
• Daddy Long Legs (1955)
• Funny Face (1957)
• Silk Stockings (1957)
• Finian's Rainbow (1968)
• That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)

Find Out More

Read more on Fred Astaire’s biography by researching the following links:

Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire Blogspot

Biography

Kennedy Center

Remembering Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire passed away in 1987 at the age of 88 from pneumonia. Leaving behind a son, Fred Jr. and a daughter Ava, Fred was preceded in death by his wife of twenty one years, Phyllis Potter. Fred Astaire is in his final resting place at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in the city of Chatsworth, California. Fred’s last wish was to thank his fans.

A humble man who forever made his mark on the entertainment industry, Fred was quoted (on dance,) "I have no desire to prove anything by it. I never used it as an outlet or as a means of expressing myself. I just dance."

Dance. Indeed he did.