Fred Astaire is an American theater and film actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, producer and television host. He was one of the main stars of Hollywood musicals, actively worked on Broadway. Considered one of the most influential dancers and choreographers of all time. Over an almost eighty-year career, he participated in fifty full-length and television projects.
Childhood and youth
Fred Astaire was born on May 10, 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska. Real name - Frederick Emmanuel Austerlitz. It has German and Austrian roots. Fred's elder sister, Adele, was a talented dancer in childhood, the mother of the family decided to give her son and dance classes, as creative duets of her brother and sister were popular in those days.
Soon the family moved to New York, where the children continued to attend various acting courses, and also learned to dance and play musical instruments.
Carier start
After the successful debut of the Asters and several years of performances, they had to suspend their career due to the fact that Adele was much taller than Fred and the duet stopped looking organically. During the break in performances, the brother and sister continued to actively train and learn new dance styles.
In 1912, Adele and Fred Astaire returned to the scene. During this period, the brother also assumed responsibility for providing musical accompaniment for the rooms, at the age of fourteen he collaborated with the famous composer George Gershwin.
In the early twenties, Asters appeared on Broadway, becoming participants in many successful musicals. The duo also worked in theaters in London. By that time, Fred Astaire began to surpass his sister in dance skills and, according to many professionals, was considered the best tap dance in the world.
In 1932, Adele Astaire married the Duke of Cavendish and ended her stage career. Fred continued to perform solo, He participated in Broadway musicals and tried to get into the movies, but Hollywood producers found him unsuitable for the screen.
Movie career
Together with the new dance partner Claire Lucci, Fred Astaire was able to put on several dance numbers, more romantic and sensual. One of the couple’s numbers appeared on the television version of the play Cheerful Divorce. This was the beginning of a movie career for a dancer.
However, large studios were in no hurry to sign a contract with the artist. Looking at the photo of Fred Astaire, one of the Hollywood producers noted that there is nothing special, besides, he is balding and has huge ears. However, well-known producer David Selznik signed a contract with Aster.
Soon, Fred appeared in a small role in the musical comedy "Dancing Lady". In his next film, Flight to Rio, he became part of a duet with Ginger Rogers. Initially, the artist was against long-term cooperation with another partner, but the success of their dance number convinced him to continue his joint career.
The duet with Ginger Rogers became the most fruitful in the filmography of Fred Astaire. Together they played in ten films, almost all of them became hits of hire. The popularity of the actors was so great that they even received a percentage of the profit at the box office, which in those days was an unheard of practice.
Fred tried to work with other partners, but these pictures were unsuccessful. After the break, he starred in two more films with Rogers, they became box office hits, but Aster continued to work with other partners. For example, he starred in two films with Rita Hayworth, and also appeared on the screen with Lucille Bremer in two projects.
Resignation and return
In 1946, Fred Astaire announced the end of his film career. He founded a network of dance studios named after himself, but soon lost interest in the business and sold his stake to partners.
The actor returned to the screens two years later, when he was asked to replace the injured Gene Kelly in the film Easter Parade. A year later, Fred Astaire worked again with Ginger Rogers, for the last time in his career.
In the fifties, the popularity of movie musicals began to decline, many projects with the participation of Fred turned out to be box office failures. Soon, with him and many other studio actors, contracts were terminated. In 1958, he announced that he was ending with musical films and would work as a dramatic actor.
Later projects
In the following years, Fred Astaire created four television broadcasts and received an Emmy Award. He also played dramatic roles in the films "On the Shore" and "Hell in Heaven", was nominated for the Golden Globe Award.
In 1968, one of the best films was released with Fred Astaire, Francis Ford Coppola's musical Rainbow Finian. However, the picture turned out to be a box office failure and gained cult status only a few years later.
In recent years, the actor continued to work on television, played in several series and television films. Also released several music albums. The latest movie role in the biography of Fred Astaire was the 1981 ghost story thriller.
Impact on culture
It is believed that it was Aster who came up with filming dances in movie musicals, if possible, with one plan, so that the actors always remained in the frame. The influence of Fred's dance style on his work was recognized by famous dancers and choreographers Bob Foss, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Michael Jackson.
Personal life
For the first time, Fred Astaire married in his youth, the marriage lasted two years. In 1933 he married the Phillies Potter. Together, the couple lived twenty-one years, until the Phillies died of lung cancer. Two children were born in the marriage, the couple also raised their son Phyllis from their first marriage.
Fred Astaire was fond of golf and horse racing. Died at the age of eighty-eight years from complications of pneumonia.