Fred Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, on May 10, 1899, was an American actor and dancer. Young Fred Astaire began his career in vaudeville at the age of 5. He made big screen debut in pre-Code musical film Dancing Lady (1933) as Himself. He got his television debut in CBS anthology series General Electric Theater (1957). Fred's breakthrough performance came as Fred Ayres in pre-Code musical film Flying Down to Rio (1933). He landed his Broadway debut in a patriotic revue "Over the Top" (1917).
Fred Astaire height was 5' 9½" іn fееt аnd іnсhеѕ or 176.5 іn cеntіmеtrеѕ, his weight was 150 іn pоunds or 68 іn kіlоgrаmѕ. His shoe size was 8 US | 41 EU.
Fred Astaire
Photo: Studio publicity still / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Birth Date:
May 10, 1899
Died:
June 22, 1987
Nationality:
United States
Sun Sign:
Taurus
Natural hair color:
Dark Brown
Eye Color:
Dark Brown
Height:
5 ft 9½ in | 176.5 cm
Weight:
68 kg | 150 lbs
Shoe Size:
8 US | 41 EU
He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor also won the BAFTA Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture for his role as Harlee Claiborne in action drama film The Towering Inferno (1974).
He was nominated for the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor - Comedy or Musical for his roles in movies:
The Pleasure of His Company (1961) - Biddeford "Pogo" Poole
Finian's Rainbow (1968) - Finian McLonergan
He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Comedy or Musical for his role as Bert Kalmar in musical film Three Little Words (1950).
He was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Julian Osborn in post-apocalyptic science fiction drama film On the Beach (1959).
He portrayed Don Hewes in musical movie Easter Parade (1948).
He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special for his role as Ted Long in drama film A Family Upside Down (1978).
Flying Down to Rio (1933) - Fred Ayres
The Gay Divorcee (1934) - Guy Holden
Roberta (1935) - Huckleberry Haines
Top Hat (1935) - Jerry Travers
Follow the Fleet (1936) - Bake Baker
Swing Time (1936) - "Lucky" Garnett
Shall We Dance (1937) - Peter P. Peters
Carefree (1938) - Tony Flagg
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) - Vernon Castle
The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) - Josh Barkley
Funny Face (1957) - Dick Avery
He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Single Performance by an Actor for NBC live television special Another Evening with Fred Astaire (1959).
He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series for music and dance special Astaire Time (1960).
He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical or Variety Program for NBC dance special The Fred Astaire Show (1968).
Attended Alviene Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts.
Had Ashkenazi Jewish and German ancestry.
Had older sister, Adele.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6756 Hollywood Boulevard in 1960.
He starred in ten musical films with Ginger Rogers.
His legs were insured for one million dollars.
Appears on cover of The Beatles' "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.
He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1972.
He was first recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors (1978).
Fred died on June 22, 1987, Century City Doctors Hospital, Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 88.
He was married to:
Robyn Smith (1980-1987)
Phyllis Livingston Potter (1933-1954), they had a son, Fred Astaire Jr. and a daughter, Ava Astaire-McKenzie
He dated Barrie Chase (1957-1961).