Fred Astaire

“As far as I can remember, I've never done anything in this business, including movies, shows and everything else, that I haven't enjoyed.” Fred Astaire was an iconic American actor, singer and dancer, remembered as one of the greatest film and television dancers in history. He was noted for his elegant dancing style and was among the first to integrate dance into the cinematic narrative. He began his career in the vaudeville with his sister Adele in 1905, and they continued to perform on Broadway and in various London theaters until she decided to retire in 1932. Fred continued on his own and began to receive proposals from Hollywood, making his debut in Dancing Lady (1933) for MGM. He starred in a series of successful films, many of them with the famous actress and dancer Ginger Rogers, with whom he shot ten films that revolutionized the genre. Fred has also danced with other actresses such as Eleanor Powell, Lucille Bremer and Rita Hayworth. Among his most memorable films are Top Hat (1935), Swing Time (1936), Holiday Inn (1942) and Funny Face (1957), among others. While his dancing seemed relaxed and largely improvised, in reality, he was very obsessive and rehearsed routines tirelessly for hours. In addition to his great dancing ability, Astaire was also a very talented singer. He is remembered as one of the most versatile performers in the history of entertainment, being not only a pioneer, but also an unparalleled ambassador for the art of dance.