Fred Astaire
Born |
Frederick Austerlitz
May 10, 1899
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
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Died |
June 22, 1987 (aged 88)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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Occupation |
Actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, percussionist
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Years active |
1904–1981
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Spouse(s) |
Phyllis Livingston Potter
(m. 1933–1954; her death; 2 children)Robyn Smith (m. 1980-1987; his death)
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Children |
Fred, Jr. (b. 1936)
Ava Astaire McKenzie (b. 1942)
Eliphalet (Peter) Potter IV (stepson)
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Relatives |
AFI’S 50 GREATEST AMERICAN SCREEN LEGEND
Gene Kelly, another major innovator in filmed dance, said that "the history of dance on film begins with Astaire." Beyond film and television, many noted dancers and choreographers, including Rudolf Nureyev, Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson,Gregory Hines, Mikhail Baryshnikov, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Madhuri Dixit, also acknowledged his importance and influence. Astaire ranks #5 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, a list of greatest screen legends in American film history.