Fred Astaire
Birth Name:
Frederic Austerlitz
Birth Place:
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Profession
Soundtrack, Actor, Producer, Music department
Fast Facts
- Ranked No․ 5 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Male legends
- Was inducted into the National Museum of Dance's Mr․ & Mrs․ Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame in 1987
- Was the very first recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978
- Moved to New York City after his father lost his job and began training at the Alviene Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts in 1905
- Quote: "I have never had anything that I can remember in the business - and that includes all the movies and the stage shows and everything - that I didn't enjoy․"
- Quote: "[on Cyd Charisse] "When you dance with her you stay danced․""
- Frequently wears a top hat and tails in his film sequences
- Often appears alongside Ginger Rogers as his dance partner
- Due his famous dancing ability, his legs were insured for $1 million
- On his first screen test, he was evaluated as someone who "can't act․ Can't sing․ Balding, Can dance a little․"
- Would wear a necktie around his waist instead of a belt
Awards
- 1934Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (December):Winner
- 1935Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (May):Winner
- 1935Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (November):Winner
- 1936Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (November):Winner
- 1936Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (April):Winner
- 1937Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (June):Winner
- 1938Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (November):Winner
- 1938Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (February):Winner
- 1939Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (June):Winner
- 1940Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (April):Winner
- 1946Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (October):Winner
- 1948Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (August):Winner
- 1949Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (July):Winner
- 1950Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (November):Winner
- 1951Golden Globe - Best Actor - Comedy or Musical:Winner
- 1958Golden Laurel - Top Male Musical Performance:Nominated
- 1960Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 1960Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series:Nominated
- 1961Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series:Winner
- 1962Golden Globe - Best Actor - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 1969Golden Globe - Best Actor - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
- 1975Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
- 1975Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture:Winner
- 1975Gold Medal - Favorite Movie:Nominated
- 1976BAFTA Film Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
- 1978Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special:Winner