Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz) began working in show business at a young age after his family moved to New York City in 1905 to launch a singing and dancing career for Fred and his sister. Fred and Adele Astaire’s brother-sister act was a hit that lasted until 1932 when Adele got married. Fred went on to achieve success as a solo dancer and actor in Broadway and London theater. Initially considered too unattractive for film, Astaire eventually became a Hollywood star, ushering in a new area of dance on film and starring in a total of 31 musical films throughout his long and successful career.