Fred Astaire

Birth Name:

Frederick Austerlitz

Birth Date:

May 10, 1899

Birth Place:

2326 S 10th Street, Omaha, Nebraska

Death Date:

June 22, 1987

Place of Death:

Century City Hospital, Los Angeles, California

Age:

Cause of Death:

Pneumonia

Cemetery Name:

Oakwood Memorial Park And Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Show Business

Fred Astaire was an American dancer, singer, actor and choreographer whose style, elegance and graceful approach to movement made him the most acclaimed dancer in motion picture history. Born Frederick Austerlitz on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Nebraska, he began performing as a child with his sister Adele in vaudeville before transitioning to Broadway. Following Adele's retirement, Astaire moved to Hollywood, where he formed a legendary on-screen partnership with Ginger Rogers. Together, they starred in a string of iconic musicals in the 1930s, such as Top Hat, Swing Time, and Shall We Dance, showcasing his elegant, seemingly effortless dance style. Over his career, Astaire appeared in over 30 musical films and continued performing into the 1980s. Known for his innovation in dance choreography and integration of dance into storytelling, he left a profound impact on the genre.

Fun Facts

Fred Astaire famously stated that he preferred not to dance with Eleanor Powell, considering her dance style too powerful and “mannish” for his own. He felt she was a remarkable dancer but her style didn’t complement his own.

Fred’s family moved to New York City in January 1905 to launch the show business careers of the children. They began training at the Alvieni Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts. Fred and his sister, Adele’s mother suggested that they change their name to Astaire, as she felt that Austerlitz was reminiscent of the Battle of Austerlitz. Family legend attributes the name to an uncle surnamed L’Astaire.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Oakwood Memorial Park And Cemetery

22601 Lassen Street

Chatsworth, California, 91311

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Oakwood Memorial Park and Cemetery in Chatsworth, CA

Grave Location:

Sequoia Section G, Lot 82, Space 4

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery, drive past the office and the chapel on your left and drive to the first right turn. Making the right turn, drive 75 feet and park on the right. Walk over to the section on the left and walk 7 rows into the section for the final resting place of American dancer, singer, actor and choreographer Fred Astaire.