Fred Astaire May 10 1899 June 22 1987 was an American dancer singer actor and choreographer He is widely regarded as the most influential dancer in the history of film Born as Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha Nebraska on May 10 1899 to Johanna Geilus and Fritz a brewer he entered show business at age 5 He was successful in vaudeville and on Broadway as well as in Londons West End together with his sister Adele a partnership that lasted 27 years 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 RKOs Flying Down to Rio 1933 In the latter film he was teamed with Ginger Rogers with whom he worked in 9 RKO pictures Astaire later appeared opposite a number of partners including Cyd Charisse Rita Hayworth VeraEllen and Barrie Chase Astaire remained active well into old age starring in musicals through 1968 and also performed a number of straight dramatic roles in film and TV Throughout his career he was also active in recording and radio He died of pneumonia on June 22 1987 in Los Angeles
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