Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) is arguably one of the greatest entertainers of all time. His career lasted over seven decades and was enjoyed by young and old alike. He performed with such other great leading ladies as Ginger Rogers and Grace Kelly. He not only danced, but acted and sang as well. He escaped the "Hollywood" lifestyle and proved it was possible to be a well rounded, compassionate, family oriented person. His work was always excellently performed, his life tailored to excel as well. As a performer, he pushed himself to the limit, and is someone who is definite role model material.
The following websites are very useful to find more information about Fred Astaire:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Astaire
Wikipedia may not be the most legitimate source, but Asatire's history is broken down into sections, which make it easier to find the information the reader is looking for. His life and career, working methods, influence, awards, and personal life are discussed. The awards section alone shows just how high his talent was regarded.
2.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxPgplMujzQ
This is a link from You Tube to see Ginger Rogers perform with Astaire. The performed to "Swing Time" and it shows the mass amount of talent and showmanship he had as a performer. His tap dancing ability is amazing.
3.http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39648/Fred-Astaire
This link is from the Encyclopedia Britannica. This link is very helpful because it includes other references regarding Astaire. His passion and insistence for the camera to follow each move is discussed.