THE ASTAIRE FAMILY
ASTAIRE FAMILY
During the early 1900s, the Astaire family had an enormous influence on the entertainment business as renowned performers. Broadway and Hollywood audiences were enchanted by their one-of-a-kind musical, dancing, and comedic combinations, and their legacy lives on to this day. A love of the stage was evident in the early years of the Astaire family.
The Astaire children were encouraged by their musically gifted parents, Frederick Otto Astaire and Ann Geilus, to follow their dreams from an early age. Although the family went through a lot of ups and downs in their early years, including many moves and financial difficulties, they always found solace in their music and dancing. The history of this family is a powerful illustration of the impact that talent, perseverance, and commitment can have, and it acts as a source of motivation for aspiring artists and entertainers all around the world.
Who Were the Astaires?
The Astaires were a tight-knit performing family hailing from Omaha, Nebraska. Frederick Astaire (1899-1987), the patriarch of the family, was a tremendously brilliant dancer, singer, and actor who was responsible for revolutionizing the art of tap dancing.
adele astaire
His sister, Adele Astaire (1896-1981), was also a talented dancer in her own right, and the two siblings made a dynamic combination that astonished audiences with their good performances.
A love of the stage was evident in the early years of the Astaire family. The Astaire children were encouraged by their musically gifted parents, Frederick Otto Astaire and Ann Geilus, to follow their dreams from an early age. Because their father was a traveling salesman, they lived in different locations all over the US during their early childhood, which caused them to move around a lot and put a strain on their family’s finances. However, they never lost the solace and happiness that came from sharing their passion for dance and music.
Education
The Astaire kids went to both public and private schools for their early education. They went to St. Paul Public Schools in Minnesota and Omaha Public Schools in Nebraska, among others, because they moved around a lot for school. Each of the Astaire siblings acquired a solid academic foundation as well as substantial training in dance and music. The renowned tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was one of Fred’s many illustrious dancing teachers. Other number of individual instructors helped Adele hone her vocal and piano skills.
1904 was the year that the Astaire family relocated to New York City, and it was there that Fred and Adele Astaire started attending the elite Professional Children’s School. Students in the performing arts were the target population for this school, which catered to their unique needs by offering a flexible schedule that let them focus on their jobs while still meeting academic standards.
Fred and Adele started to develop their talents as performers at Professional Children’s School, where they developed their skills in music, dance, and drama. Along the way, they met other budding performers, such as Al Jolson, who would go on to star on Broadway.
There was a nurturing home atmosphere that supported the Astaire siblings as they followed their dreams, with a heavy focus on music and performance throughout their schooling. Their abilities and the groundwork for their performing careers were shaped in part by these influences. Their meteoric rise to fame caught the eye of Hollywood, and before they knew it, they were sharing the screen with A-listers.
No one had ever seen anything like the groundbreaking dance sequences performed by the Astaires, which fused tap, ballet, and ballroom in a manner that was completely original. Many consider Fred and Ginger Rogers to have been one of the most iconic onscreen couples of all time due to Fred’s suave, dapper good looks and natural elegance. At the same time, Adele became a gifted performer in her own right, possessing exceptional skills as a singer, dancer, and comic.
Nonetheless, the Astaires had their share of ups and downs, despite all their achievements. While Adele’s personal problems and a fall in her profession defined her later life, Fred’s early life was defined by financial difficulties and a strained relationship with his father. But the Astaires never wavered from their commitment to their art, and they never stopped surprising and delighting fans all over the globe.
Members of the Astaire Family
Frederick Otto Astaire (1870–1920)
Adele and Fred Astaire’s father was Frederick Otto Astaire. The son of German immigrants, he came into this world in 1870 in Omaha, Nebraska. He started performing at an early age, showcasing his talent as a singer and musician. He eventually settled into a life as a traveling salesman, where he met the woman who would become his wife, Ann Geilus.
Charming and ambitious, Frederick was a man with a lot of potential for greatness. He was instrumental in his children’s musical and dancing development and strongly advocated that they follow their dreams. Additionally, he was a tough disciplinarian who encouraged his children to do their best in everything they did.
Adele Astaire (1896–1981)
The elder sister, Adele Astaire, was also a gifted performer. In addition to singing and dancing, she was also a talented comic who appeared in early films and theater productions alongside her brother Fred. She retired from performing, but despite her own remarkable abilities, she was mostly forgotten after that.
A lifelong performer, Adele started performing with her brother Fred when she was very little, singing and dancing. Broadway and vaudeville audiences adored her due to her stunning dancing abilities, captivating stage presence, and stunning voice. The Band Wagon (1931) and Dancing Lady(1933) were two of her many cinematic appearances alongside Fred. Adele retired from performing and lived a low-key existence away from the limelight. She was a homemaker in her latter years, devoting herself to her family and garden after getting married and having two children.
Ann Geilus Astaire (1875–1959)
Anne Geilus Astaire was Fred and Adele’s mother. During the year 1875, she was born in New York City to a family that had immigrated from Ireland. She started performing at an early age, showcasing her talents as a pianist and singer. While performing with a traveling vaudeville company, she met the man who would become her husband, Frederick Otto Astaire. With a deep love for her family and an eagerness to encourage her children’s interests, Ann was a kind and supportive mother.
Her children’s concerts frequently featured costumes that she had expertly sewn and designed. She was also very good at cooking and taking care of the home, which she ran with poise and efficiency. The lives and professions of Fred and Ann Astaire’s children were greatly impacted by them. They gave their kids the encouragement and support they needed to follow their dreams and achieve their goals. They overcame obstacles they faced as a family to give their children the drive and determination to succeed in life, and they assisted their children in honing the skills that would bring them fame.
Fred Astaire (1899–1987)
In the family of two siblings, Frederick Astaire was the younger brother and the more well-known of the two. Known for his sleek, debonair style and easy elegance, he is widely considered to be one of the finest dancers in the history of humanity. The memorable dance routines he performed and his delightful on-screen appearance are what people remember most about him. He appeared in a number of great films, such as Top Hat, Swing Time, and Shall We Dance.
The early years of Fred’s life were characterized by his enthusiasm for dancing, and he began his career in the performing arts at a young age, performing alongside his sister Adele. Tap, ballet, and ballroom dancing were all elements that he used in his distinctive style, which he eventually developed through years of practice and performance. During the course of his career, he went on to star in more than thirty films, including Dancing Lady, which was the film that brought him his first major role in the film industry.
Fred was a superb singer and guitarist in addition to his profession in the film industry. It was via his silky and appealing voice that he was able to record a number of albums and perform in a number of theatrical plays. Besides being a talented musician, he was also a composer who wrote a number of songs, one of which being the timeless Night and Day.
was Fred Astaire gay?
Fred Astaire was not homosexual. He was known to have had relationships with women throughout his life and was married twice. His initial marriage was to Phyllis Potter, a New York socialite. They were united in matrimony in 1933 and maintained their relationship until her passing in 1954. Fred Jr. and Ava were their offspring. Astaire married Robyn Smith in 1980, an equestrian who was 45 years younger than him. The couple remained married until Astaire’s demise in 1987.
Ava Astaire (1942)
Fred and Robyn Smith had a daughter named Ava Astaire McKenzie. In addition to her job as a dance instructor and choreographer, Ava has also had a career as an actor and dancer. She has appeared in a few films and theatrical productions. Ava was born into a family of entertainers, and she took the first steps toward her own career in the performing arts at a young age. The films The Pleasure of His Company (1961) and Midnight Sun (1964) were two among the many films and stage productions in which she acted alongside her father.
Throughout her career, she has provided instruction at a number of different dance schools, in addition to working as a dance instructor and choreographer. Now that she has retired, Ava and her husband have made their home in the state of California. She is continuously active in the entertainment world, contributing to a variety of charitable causes and paying honor to her father’s legacy. She is the mother of two daughters and has several grandkids.
Fred Astaire Jr. (1936)
The union of Fred Astaire and Phyllis Potter, who was his first wife, resulted in the birth of Fred Astaire Jr. He was a dancer and actor in the past, and he had appearances in a few films and stage performances. However, he has mostly withdrawn from the public eye in order to pursue a career in the business world. Not only did Fred Jr. start his own performance career at a young age, but he was born into a family of artists. The film Easter Parade (1948) and the stage production The Pleasure of His Company (1961) were two of the many films and theater productions in which he featured alongside his father.
In spite of this, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in business, and throughout his life, he has enjoyed working in a variety of different fields. At this point in time, Fred Jr. is retired and resides in California with his marriage partner. He is continuously active in the entertainment industry, contributing to a variety of charitable causes and paying honor to his father’s legacy. He is the father of two children and has several grandkids.
Legacy
Everything that the Astaire family has accomplished in the performing arts is due to their perseverance, commitment, and love of the art form. Fans all across the globe still adore Fred’s iconic flicks, and his groundbreaking dancing technique and endearing screen presence have inspired many artists. In addition to her talents as a performer, Adele is remembered and honored for her role in the family’s early success. Documentaries and homage to the Astaire family keep the tradition alive today.