In Memoriam: Fred Astaire's Impressive Career
1 / 11
Fred Astaire
Born May 10, 1899, American dancer and actor Fred Astaire was destined for success. Fred was thrust into show business by his parents at an early age, and would prove to be a natural. Credited with bringing dance to film, the late Fred Astaire will be remembered in Hollywood for years to come!
2 / 11
Fred and Adele Astaire
Fred Astaire wouldn't be the legend he is today without his older sister Adele Astaire. Also a natural dancer and singer, Adele is the one who taught Fred how to dance. The brother and sister duo would break into the Broadway scene together in 1917.
3 / 11
'The Gay Divorce'
Fred and Adele would continue to dance together until 1932 when Adele married her first husband Lord Charles Cavendish. Fred Astaire's first big role post-Adele would come with 1932's Broadway show Gay Divorce, which would later be made into the 1934 film, The Gay Divorce.
4 / 11
'The Dancing Lady'
After a string of success on Broadway, Fred Astaire would make his Hollywood debut in 1933 with hit musical film The Dancing Lady. Starring alongside the gorgeous Joan Crawford, the film would only be the start of Fred Astaire's incredible Hollywood career!
5 / 11
'Flying Down to Rio'
The film that would prove Fred Astaire invaluable, however, would be 1933's Flying Down to Rio. The film would pair Astaire with his first dance partner after his sister, Hollywood beauty Ginger Rogers! While Astaire was hesitant of the pairing at first, they would prove to be a dynamic duo and film nine movies together!
6 / 11
'Broadway Melody of 1940'
In 1939, Fred Astaire left RKO Productions and became a freelancer. Sadly, this also meant the end of his partnership with Ginger Rogers. 1940 film Broadway Melody of 1940, would pair him with his first partner following Ginger, the world-renowned tap dancer Eleanor Powell. If the success of the film is any indication, the duo proved to be unstoppable!
7 / 11
'You'll Never Get Rich'
Fred Astaire would also get the honor of becoming rising star Rita Hayworth's dance partner in 1941's You'll Never Get Rich. A huge success, the film would launch Rita Hayworth into the spotlight, and the pair would go on to make a second film together, 1942's You Were Never Lovelier, also a hit success!
8 / 11
'Easter Parade'
Throughout his career, Fred Astaire would retire three times! His first retirement came in 1946 when he felt his career was beginning to decline. His first retirement didn't last long, however, and Fred was back and as strong as ever in 1948 with hit musical Easter Parade. Replacing an injured Gene Kelly, Astaire would star alongside Judy Garland, Ann Miller, and Peter Lawford.
9 / 11
'Funny Face'
Fred Astaire would announce his second retirement in 1957, but not before starring in 1957's musical romantic comedy Funny Face. Pairing Astaire with Hollywood beauty Audrey Hepburn this time, the film was received positively by critics even though it was unable to make back its filming costs.
10 / 11
'On the Beach'
Like his first retirement, it didn't take long for Fred Astaire to come back into the spotlight. After starring in a series of Emmy Award winning musical television specials, Astaire would be back to film in 1959 with war drama On the Beach. Even though the role was a non-dancing one, Astaire's acting was just as strong as his dancing, and he would be nominated for a Golden Globe!