10th May is the 125th anniversary of the birth of Fred Astaire, who died in 1987 in Los Angeles, aged 88. Born in Omaha, Nebraska with his father and wider family originating from Austria, he started aged 5 in show business and was successful in vaudeville and on Broadway in partnership with his sister Adele, and as success grew he studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London alongside Noel Coward. He travelled to Hollywood and was signed by RKO and loaned out to MGM for a film Dancing Lady 1933, after being told from his first screen test “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Balding. Can dance a little.” The first film being somewhat successful, he starred in the same year on Flying Down to Rio, which was the start of his highly successful partnership with Ginger Rogers, with whom he danced in nine RKO films. He also became active in recording and radio. He later appeared with various partners in other films for various studios. From 1945-7 he temporarily retired and opened Fred Astaire Dance Studios. He then returned to appear in more musicals up to 1957, after which he performed a number of straight dramatic roles in film and TV. He amassed 50 screen credits – notables Top Hat 1935, Swing Time 1936, Broadway Melody of 1940, Holiday Inn 1942, Ziegfeld Follies 1945, Easter Parade 1948, The Barkleys of Broadway 1949, Royal Wedding 1951, The Band Wagon 1953, Daddy Long Legs 1955, Funny Face & Silk Stockings 1957. Obviously a fantastic career and he became a dance legend and icon, his legs at one time insured for $1 million. With a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 1960, he was Oscar nominated for The Towering Inferno 1974, but won a BAFTA & Golden Globe for that; also won a Golden Globe for Three Little Words 1951 & in 1961 the Cecil B De Mille Special Golden Globe; won 3 Primetime Emmys; also nominated for a Golden Globe for On the Beach 1960, The Pleasure of His Company 1962 & Finian’s Rainbow 1969. 1949 awarded a Special Oscar for his unique artistry & contribution to musical film technique and in 1989 a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. He was honoured by Madonna in her song Vogue, and believed Michael Jackson was the greatest dancer of the century and his descendant. He took up skateboarding in his 70s and was awarded life membership by the national body. He owned Blue Valley Ranch, a thoroughbred horse-breeding farm in the San Fernando Valley; also lived in New York on his first marriage. He enjoyed horse racing and golf, his last marriage being to Robyn, whom he met when she was a jockey, and they lived in a mansion in Beverly Hills. He was interred at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, California where Ginger Rogers is also located. We believe him more than worthy of a match in his honour and hope you agree. If you want to change numbers or ratings, please make contact.
Equaliser769
