Astaire, Fred
Astaire, Fred, stage name of Frederick Austerlitz (1899-1987). US dancer and film star. In 1911 he formed a partnership with his sister Adele and they were highly successful vaudeville dancers on Broadway until Adele retired to get married. Astaire went to Holly-wood in 1932, where his debonair style and genius as a dancer ensured the success of many musical films. In some of the best of these Ginger Rogers co-starred as his partner. His films include Top Hat (1935), Easter Pa-rade (1948), and Funny Face (1957).
