Fred Astaire: The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.
Fred Astaire: Dancing is a sweat job.
Fred was married twice, the first time in 1933, to Phyllis Potter In addition to Phyllis's son, Eliphalet IV, known as Peter, the Astaires had two children, Fred Jr. (born 1936, he appeared with his father in the movie Midas Run but became a charter pilot and rancher instead of an actor), and Ava, Mrs. Richard McKenzie (born 1942). Phyllis died in 1954. He married again in 1980, to Robyn Smith, an actress turned champion jockey almost 45 years his junior.
Fred was an Episcopalian.
Fred co-founded the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in 1947 and franchised it in 1950. There are 110 franchise studios as of 2006, and it is headquarterd in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Fred first announced his "retirement" after completing Blue Skies (1946) to spend time with his family, but this was short-lived and he returned with Easter Parade (1948) two years later.
Fred was originally considered to play Bert, the chimney sweep, in Mary Poppins (1964) but turned it down and DIck Van Dyke was cast in his place.
The camera technique that made Fred appear as though he were dancing up the walls and then on the ceiling in Royal Wedding (1951) was used by Lionel Ritchie in his 1984 video for his song "Dancing On The Ceiling".
In August 2006 TV Guide announced that Fred Astaire will be portrayed in an upcoming biographical movie by Benji Schwimmer, a winner on the Fox television program, So You Think You Can Dance?
Fred is buried at Oakland Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California, the same place as his long-time co-star/dancing partner, Ginger Rogers.
Fred's legs were insured for $1 million.
Fred was given the Lifetime Achievement award by the American Film Institute in 1981.
Fred received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978.
His best friend was Irving Berlin.
Fred Astaire appears on the sleeve of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.
Fred began his show business career at age 5 as his sister Adele's dance partner.
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