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Technique 4 Historical Presentation

Fred Astaire

      Born in May 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska, Frederick Austerilitz was destined for greatness.  His parents both had a great appreciation for music and his sister, Adele, was interested in dance at a very young age.  It seemed only fitting that the young Fred Astaire would follow this same path. 

      At the age of 6, Fred moved with his sister to New York to study dance.  In November of 1905, the pair made their debut in Keyport, New Jersey in an act called the “Astaires”.  During the next several years, the duo traveled with the Orpheum Circuit around the United States performing for vast audiences.  From 1912-1914, Fred and Adele performed small scaled vaudeville style dances.  Fred’s true passion was tap, however, and drew inspiration from people such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and John “Bubbles” Sublett.   He continued to work on his tap dancing for several years as the two continued to tour, receiving recognition for his achievements along the way.  Finally, in 1917, Fred and his sister finally received an agent contract from Rufus LeMaire to work in the Shubert Brothers’ musical.

      During the 1920’s, Fred and Adele performed on Broadway and in London in shows such as Lady Be Good, Funny Face, and The Band Wagon.  The pair finally split in 1932, when Adele fell in love with her first husband, Lord Charles Cavendish.  Fred continued to perform on his own, receiving acclaim wherever he performed.  During this time, a Paramount Pictures screed test of Astaire read, “Can’t sing.  Can’t act.  Slightly balding.  Also dances.” 

      In 1933, Astaire married for the first time to Phyllis Potter.  The couple had two children, Fred Jr. and Ava. Mrs. Richard McKenzie.

      Astaire’s second film, Flying Down to Rio, led him to costar Ginger Rogers for the first time.  These two would go on to appear in many films together including: The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet, Swingtime, and Carefree.  This infamous duo achieved stardom in no time at all. 

      Although this duo won him the most fame, Astaire also performed with others such as Bing Crosby, Eleanor Powell, Paulette Goddard, Rita Hayworth, Joan Leslie, and Lucille Bremer.

      In 1946, Astaire announced his retirement, although this didn’t last long.  He soon returned to the big screen to perform for the injured Gene Kelly opposite Judy Garland in Easter Parade.  In the 1950s he went on to make more musicals, including: Three Little Words, The Belle of New York, Silk Stockings, as well as others.   In the 1960s, Astaire created a series of television specials with Barrie Chase including An Evening with Fred Astaire which won 9 Emmy Awards.  In 1968, Astaire performed in his final musical, Finian’s Rainbow.  He continued acting and dancing throughout the 1970s, receiving many awards and nominations along the way.  Some of which included the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978 and the American Film Institute award of Lifetime Achievement in 1981.

      In 1980, Astaire married for the second time to Robyn Smith, an actress and champion jockey.  She was nearly 50 years younger than him, born in the early 1940s.

       Throughout his life, Astaire achieved much recognition for his dance and choreography.  He was said to have pinpoint accuracy down to every last gesture.  He relentlessly insisted on rehearsing and retaking scenes to make the dance routines perfect.  His vast dancing background also helped make this man a legend in the dance world.  He received praise from dancers such as George Balanchine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Bob Fosse, and Bill Robinson, along with many others.

      In 1987, Astaire died from pneumonia at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of dancing that has been immortalized in the hearts and minds of many Americans. 

 
Works Cited:

"Fred Astaire." Wikipedia. 23 Apr. 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Astaire#Early_life_and_career>.

"History of Fred Astaire." Fred Astaire Dance International. 21 Apr. 2006 <http://www.fadi.com/history_fred_astaire.htm>.

Thum, J.P. "Fred Astaire." 21 Apr. 2006 <http://www.alsodances.net/biography/youth.htm>.