Fred Astaire

Actor/dancer[30]

What is Fred Astaire known for?

Fred Astaire, born Frederick Austerlitz on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska, is an illustrious alumnus of Valley Center High School in Valley Center, California. Astaire had an illustrious career in show business, spanning 76 years and encompassing stage, film, and television.

Proudly regarded as the "greatest popular-music dancer of all time," Astaire garnered many accolades over his career, including an Honorary Academy Award, three Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award. His remarkable contributions to film earned him several tributes, including the Film Society of Lincoln Center tribute in 1973, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1980. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1972, and the Television Hall of Fame in 1989.

Astaire showcased his talents in over a remarkable 10 Broadway and West End musicals, made 31 musical films, four television specials, and numerous recordings. He was known for his uncanny sense of rhythm, creativity, and tireless perfectionism. He'll always be remembered for his extraordinary dancing partnership with Ginger Rogers. The pair co-starred in 10 Hollywood musicals during the classic age of Hollywood cinema, including iconic films like "Top Hat" (1935), "Swing Time" (1936), and "Shall We Dance" (1937).

Astaire's star continued to shine brightly with films like "Holiday Inn" (1942), "Easter Parade" (1948), "The Band Wagon" (1953), "Funny Face" (1957), and "Silk Stockings" (1957). The American Film Institute named Astaire the fifth-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood cinema in 100 Years... 100 Stars.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Johanna "Ann" and Friedrich "Fritz" Emanuel Austerlitz, Astaire's parents nurtured and harnessed his and his older sister Adele's talents from a young age. With a dream to escape Omaha, his mother planned a brother-and-sister act, which was quite common in vaudeville at the time. Even though Fred initially refused to take dance lessons, he quickly learned to mimic his sister's steps and also learned to play the piano, accordion, and clarinet. An interesting fact about his father, Fritz Austerlitz, is that he arrived in New York City at the age of 25 and later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for the Storz Brewing Company.

Check out more about Fred Astaire's life and achievements here and learn about his birthplace, Omaha, Nebraska here.