Fred Astaire American Dancer (1899–1987)
Fred Astaire · film actor and choreographer · American
Known for
Biography
American dancer Fred Astaire was born on 10 May 1899 in Omaha. He passed away on 22 June 1987 at the age of 88. He was known for Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) and That's Entertainment! (1974).
In all, 11 albums and 2 singles are listed under his name between 1930 and 1979. From Puttin' On the Ritz / Crazy Feet (1930) to Holiday Inn (1979), the list follows his releases year by year. His recordings are classed as traditional pop and jazz. His recordings came out on MGM Records.
His awards record shows 22 wins and 11 nominations. The list of wins starts with Academy Honorary Award in 1949. His latest listed award is Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008 for Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.
Discography
13 releases| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Holiday Inn | Album |
| 1976 | They Can't Take These Away from Me | Album |
| 1975 | A Couple of Song and Dance Men | Album |
| 1957 | Funny Face | Album |
| 1953 | The Astaire Story | Album |
| 1949 | Easter Parade | Album |
| 1948 | It Only Happens When I Dance with You | Single |
| 1946 | Blue Skies | Album |
| 1942 | Holiday Inn | Album |
| 1930 | Puttin' On the Ritz / Crazy Feet | Single |
| Easy to Dance With | Album | |
| Now Fred Astaire | Album | |
| Three Evenings with Fred Astaire | Album |
Awards and nominations
22 won, 11 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Top Hat, White Tie and Tails | Won |
| 2006 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 2005 | Grammy Hall of Fame | They Can't Take That Away from Me | Won |
| 2004 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Night and Day | Won |
| 2000 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Cheek to Cheek | Won |
| 1999 | Grammy Hall of Fame | The Astaire Story | Won |
| 1998 | Grammy Hall of Fame | The Way You Look Tonight | Won |
| 1989 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| 1987 | Capezio Dance Award | Won | |
| 1981 | AFI Life Achievement Award | Won | |
| 1978 | Kennedy Center Honors | Won | |
| 1978 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | A Family Upside Down | Won |
| 1976 | BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role | The Towering Inferno | Won |
| 1974 | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | The Towering Inferno | Won |
| 1961 | Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program | Won |
Show all 33 entries
| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award | Won | |
| 1960 | star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Won | |
| 1959 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | An Evening with Fred Astaire | Won |
| 1959 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series | An Evening with Fred Astaire | Won |
| 1950 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Three Little Words | Won |
| 1949 | Academy Honorary Award | Won | |
| David di Donatello Award for Lifetime Achievement | Won | ||
| 1976 | BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role | The Towering Inferno | Nominated |
| 1975 | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | The Towering Inferno | Nominated |
| 1974 | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | The Towering Inferno | Nominated |
| 1968 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Finian's Rainbow | Nominated |
| 1961 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | The Pleasure of His Company | Nominated |
| 1961 | Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program | Nominated | |
| 1960 | Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award | Nominated | |
| 1960 | Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program | Nominated | |
| 1959 | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | On the Beach | Nominated |
| 1959 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series | An Evening with Fred Astaire | Nominated |
| 1950 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Three Little Words | Nominated |
Filmography
48 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Billy Elliot | Film | |
| 1981 | Ghost Story | Film | |
| 1979 | The Man in the Santa Claus Suit | Film | |
| 1978– | Battlestar Galactica | TV series | |
| 1977 | The Purple Taxi | Film | |
| 1976 | That's Entertainment, Part II | Film | |
| 1976 | The Amazing Dobermans | Film | |
| 1975 | Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? | Film | |
| 1974 | That's Entertainment! | Film | |
| 1974 | The Towering Inferno | Harlee Claiborne | Film |
| 1972 | Imagine | Film | |
| 1970 | Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town | Film | |
| 1969 | Midas Run | Film | |
| 1968 | Finian's Rainbow | Film | |
| 1962 | The Notorious Landlady | Film |
Show all 48 credits
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Pleasure of His Company | Film | |
| 1959 | On the Beach | Film | |
| 1957 | Funny Face | Film | |
| 1957 | Silk Stockings | Film | |
| 1955 | Daddy Long Legs | Film | |
| 1953 | The Band Wagon | Film | |
| 1952 | The Belle of New York | Film | |
| 1951 | Royal Wedding | Film | |
| 1950 | Let's Dance | Film | |
| 1950 | Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership | Film | |
| 1950 | The Barkleys of Broadway | Film | |
| 1950 | Three Little Words | Film | |
| 1948 | Easter Parade | Film | |
| 1946 | Blue Skies | Director, Writer | Film |
| 1945 | Yolanda and the Thief | Film | |
| 1945 | Ziegfeld Follies | Film | |
| 1943 | The Sky's the Limit | Film | |
| 1942 | Holiday Inn | Writer | Film |
| 1942 | You Were Never Lovelier | Film | |
| 1941 | You'll Never Get Rich | Film | |
| 1940 | Broadway Melody of 1940 | Film | |
| 1940 | Second Chorus | Film | |
| 1939 | The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle | Film | |
| 1938 | Carefree | Film | |
| 1937 | A Damsel in Distress | Film | |
| 1937 | Shall We Dance | Film | |
| 1936 | Follow the Fleet | Film | |
| 1936 | Swing Time | Film | |
| 1935 | Roberta | Film | |
| 1935 | Top Hat | Film | |
| 1934 | The Gay Divorcee | Film | |
| 1933 | Dancing Lady | Film | |
| 1933 | Flying Down to Rio | Film |
Personal life
Marriages on record are to Phyllis Livingston Potter (1933 to 1954, ended by death) and Robyn Smith (1980 to 1987, ended by death). He had 2 children on record.
Fred Astaire Photos
Frequently asked questions
How old was Fred Astaire at the time of death?
Fred Astaire died on 22 June 1987 at the age of 88. He was born on 10 May 1899.
What is Fred Astaire known for?
Fred Astaire was known for Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) and That's Entertainment! (1974).
What is Fred Astaire’s nationality?
Fred Astaire was American, born in Omaha.
How tall was Fred Astaire?
Fred Astaire was 177 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall.
Who was Fred Astaire married to?
Fred Astaire’s marriages on record are to Robyn Smith (1980 to 1987) and Phyllis Livingston Potter (1933 to 1954).
Has Fred Astaire won any awards?
Yes. 22 awards are on record, including Grammy Hall of Fame (2008) for Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.
Sources
- Wikidata (Q100937), accessed October 2026
- Photo: Studio publicity still · Public domain
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
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