Fred Astaire was born as Frederic Austerlitz, Jr. on the 10th May 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska USA, of Austrian-Jewish (father) and German-Jewish (mother) descent, and He was a dancer, singer, and actor, who was probably best recognized for performing in a number of musicals, alongside Ginger Rogers. He was named as the 5th Greatest Male Star of All time by the American Film Institute. His career was active from 1904 to 1981. He passed away in 1987.
So, have you ever wondered how rich Fred Astaire was? According to authoritative sources, it was estimated that the total size of Fred’s net worth was over $10 million, accumulated through his successful career in the entertainment industry.
Fred Astaire Net Worth $10 Million
Fred Astaire was born to Johanna and Frederic Austerlitz, who worked at the Storz Brewing Company; he was the younger brother of Adele Astaire. When he was a child, Fred began to take classes in dancing alongside his sister, and playing piano and clarinet. In 1905 the family moved to New York City, where both of the children attended the Alviene Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts.
In no time came their first act “Juvenile Artists Presenting an Electric Musical Toe-Dancing Novelty”, for which they gained enormous popularity – the local newspaper named it “the greatest child act in vaudeville”. Afterwards, they appeared in the 1915 film “Fanchon, The Cricket” as performers, and two years later began performing on Broadway, debuting in “Over The Top”, which added a considerable amount to his net worth. In the following year, he appeared together with his sister in “The Passing Show Of 1918”, and later during the 1920s, they performed in other productions, including “The Bunch And Judy” (1922), and “Funny Face” (1927). His net worth was now established.
However, Fred and Adele split up in 1932 when she married, and he focused on his solo career, moving to Hollywood and signing with RKO Radio Pictures. He made his debut dancing with Joan Crawford in the musical film “Dancing Lady” (1933), since when his career only went upwards, as well as his net worth, and he soon began to perform with his new partner Ginger Rogers, with whom he appeared in nine RKO pictures, such as “The Gay Divorcee” (1934), “Swing Time” (1936), and “The Story Of Vernon And Irene Castle” (1939) – six of them became the biggest moneymakers; however, after that he left RKO.
In the next decade, Fred’s first performance came in the film “Broadway Melody Of 1940”, with dancing partner Eleanor Powell. In the same year, he appeared with Paulette Goddard in “Second Chorus”, and he was also a performer in other film titles, such as “Holiday Inn” (1942) starring alongside Bing Crosby, and “Blue Skies” (1946), all of which increased his net worth by a large margin. Then he surprisingly announced his retirement, but during 1947 he established the Fred Astaire Dance Studios, which he sold in 1966. Not long ago after his ‘retirement’, Fred returned to the big screen, appearing alongside Ann Miller, Judy Garland and Peter Lawford in “Easter Parade” (1948), and “The Barkleys Of Broadway” (1949).
During the 1950s, he continued to line up success after success, performing with Jane Powell in “Royal Wedding” (1951), and a year later with Vera-Ellen in “The Belle Of New York”. In 1953 Fred appeared in “The Band Wagon”, directed by Vincente Minnelli, which became one the greatest musicals of all time. Two years later, he was cast in “Daddy Long Legs”, and in 1957, he performed in “Funny Face” alongside such stars as Kay Thompson and Audrey Hepburn, all of which contributed to his wealth.
To speak further of his career, in 1958 his new dancing partner became Barrie Chase, with whom he performed in the musical “An Evening With Fred Astaire” (1958), which won nine Emmy Awards, after which Fred appeared in several non-dancing roles in such TV and film titles as “The Notorious Landlady” (1962), “Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre” and “Dr. Kildare” (1965). In 1968 he made his last musical appearance in the film “Finian’s Rainbow”, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
In the next decade, Fred continued to appear in film and TV titles as an actor, increasing further his net worth. He was cast as Harlee Claiborne in “The Towering Inferno” (1974), played Dr. Seamus Scully in “The Purple Taxi” (1977), and had the role of Ricky Hawthorne in “Ghost Story” (1981).
Thanks to his accomplishments, Fred earned a number of recognitions and awards, including the 1950 Honorary Academy Award, as well as three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. He also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Regarding his personal life, Fred Astaire was married to Robyn Smith from 1980 until his death. Previously, he was in marriage with Phyllis Livingston Potter (1933-1954), with whom he had two children. In free time, he enjoyed horse racing – his horse won the 1946 Hollywood Gold Cup – and all types of physical activity, including skateboarding, even into his ‘80s. He passed away from pneumonia at the age of 88 on the 22nd June 1987 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
