Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Johanna (Geilus) and Fritz
Austerlitz, a brewer. Fred entered show business at age 5. He was
successful both in vaudeville and on Broadway in partnership with his
sister, Adele Astaire. After Adele retired
to marry in 1932, Astaire headed to Hollywood. Signed to RKO, he was
loaned to MGM to appear in
Dancing Lady (1933) before starting
work on RKO's
Flying Down to Rio (1933). In
the latter film, he began his highly successful partnership with
Ginger Rogers, with whom he danced in 9
RKO pictures. During these years, he was also active in recording and
radio. On film, Astaire later appeared opposite a number of partners
through various studios. After a temporary retirement in 1945-7, during
which he opened Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Astaire returned to film to
star in more musicals through 1957. He subsequently performed a number
of straight dramatic roles in film and TV.