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46 Inspiring Quotes By Fred Astaire That Will Make You Dance To His Tune

Famous As: The Greatest Dancer in Film History
Born On: May 10, 1899
Died On: June 22, 1987
Born In: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Died At Age: 88
Fred Astaire was a popular American dancer known to have played prominent roles in various successful musical comedy films. As a child he collaborated with his elder sister for various performances. Together they gave many successful performances which opened the door to the Broadway. He debuted with a small role which brought him offers from various renowned production companies. He was paired up with Ginger Rogers who also came from Broadway. He was initially very reluctant to pair with her but their first movie turned out to be a huge hit. Their dance performances were fascinating which made them instantly famous while lining up a series of musical offers. They together portrayed some of the most difficult forms of dance enhancing their reputation as great dancers. Fred used to rehearse a single performance numerous times to suffice his obsession for perfection. This was believed to be the main reason behind their awesome performances. His career spanned over seven decades where he gave phenomenal musical films, recordings and television specials. We have excerpted a few famous and inspiring quotations and thoughts from the movies, dialogues, characters, work and life of the renowned artist. Read through the quotes and thoughts by Fred Astaire which reflect his passion for dance and life.
Do it big, do it right and do it with style.

Do it big, do it right and do it with style.

Fred Astaire
Why didn't you tell me i was in love with you?

Why didn't you tell me i was in love with you?

Fred Astaire
The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.

The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.

Fred Astaire
I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around.

I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around.

Fred Astaire
This search for what you want is like tracking something that doesn't want to be tracked. It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.

This search for what you want is like tracking something that doesn't want to be tracked. It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.

Fred Astaire
I don't want to be the oldest performer in captivity... I don't want to look like a little old man dancing out there.

I don't want to be the oldest performer in captivity... I don't want to look like a little old man dancing out there.

Fred Astaire
I just put my feet in the air and move them around.

I just put my feet in the air and move them around.

Fred Astaire
Disco is just jitterbug.

Disco is just jitterbug.

Fred Astaire
Dancing is a vertical interpretation of a horizontal intention.

Dancing is a vertical interpretation of a horizontal intention.

Fred Astaire
Dancing is a sweat job.

Dancing is a sweat job.

Fred Astaire
The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it's considered to be your style.

The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it's considered to be your style.

Fred Astaire
If it doesn't look easy it is that we have not tried hard enough yet.

If it doesn't look easy it is that we have not tried hard enough yet.

Fred Astaire
Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained..

Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained..

Fred Astaire
And that love that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart.

And that love that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart.

Fred Astaire

For ballroom dancing, remember that your partners have their own distinctive styles also. Cultivate flexibility. Be able to adapt your style to that of your partner. In doing so, you are not surrendering your individuality, but blending it with that of your partner.

Fred Astaire
I have no desire to prove anything by dancing ... I just dance.

I have no desire to prove anything by dancing ... I just dance.

Fred Astaire
I don't make love by kissing, I make love by dancing.

I don't make love by kissing, I make love by dancing.

Fred Astaire
I have no desire to prove anything by my work. I have never used it as an outlet or as a means of expressing myself. I just dance.

I have no desire to prove anything by my work. I have never used it as an outlet or as a means of expressing myself. I just dance.

Fred Astaire

I just told my agent to forget all other projects for me. I was waiting for Audrey Hepburn. She asked for me, and I was ready. This could be the last and only opportunity I’d have to work with the great and lovely Audrey Hepburn and I was not missing it. Period.

Fred Astaire
It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.

It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.

Fred Astaire
When you're experimenting you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, and you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion.

When you're experimenting you have to try so many things before you choose what you want, and you may go days getting nothing but exhaustion.

Fred Astaire
Be yourself-but don't be conspicuous.

Be yourself-but don't be conspicuous.

Fred Astaire
I just put my feet in the ground and move them around.

I just put my feet in the ground and move them around.

Fred Astaire
It's nice that all the composers have said that nobody interprets a lyric like Fred Astaire. But when it comes to selling records I was never worth anything particularly except as a collector's item.

It's nice that all the composers have said that nobody interprets a lyric like Fred Astaire. But when it comes to selling records I was never worth anything particularly except as a collector's item.

Fred Astaire

I have never had anything that I can remember in the business - and that includes all the movies and the stage shows and everything - that I didn't enjoy. I didn't like some of the small-time vaudeville, because we weren't going on and getting better. Aside from that, I didn't dislike anything.

Fred Astaire
Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.

Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.

Fred Astaire
I often take a brand-new suit or hat and throw it up against the wall a few times to get that stiff, square newness out of it.

I often take a brand-new suit or hat and throw it up against the wall a few times to get that stiff, square newness out of it.

Fred Astaire
People think I was born in top hat and tails.

People think I was born in top hat and tails.

Fred Astaire
I had some ballet training but didn't like it. It was like a game to me.

I had some ballet training but didn't like it. It was like a game to me.

Fred Astaire
In dealing with a girl or a horse, one lets nature take its course

In dealing with a girl or a horse, one lets nature take its course

Fred Astaire
I'm just a hoofer with a spare set of tails.

I'm just a hoofer with a spare set of tails.

Fred Astaire
We attend to his later performances as a dramatic actor with respect, but watching the nondancing, nonsinging Astaire is like watching a grounded skylark.

We attend to his later performances as a dramatic actor with respect, but watching the nondancing, nonsinging Astaire is like watching a grounded skylark.

Fred Astaire
I inherited the knowledge that sometimes (talents) not only skip a generation, but sometimes run screaming from it. Ironically, it was the singing non-ability that helped feed my love of laughter.

I inherited the knowledge that sometimes (talents) not only skip a generation, but sometimes run screaming from it. Ironically, it was the singing non-ability that helped feed my love of laughter.

Fred Astaire
Slippery stages were the terror of my life.

Slippery stages were the terror of my life.

Fred Astaire
I don't remember anybody ever pointing me out as a dancing prodigy, but I played a not bad second base.

I don't remember anybody ever pointing me out as a dancing prodigy, but I played a not bad second base.

Fred Astaire
Either the camera will dance, or I will.

Either the camera will dance, or I will.

Fred Astaire
I don't like top hats, white ties, and tails.

I don't like top hats, white ties, and tails.

Fred Astaire
Chance is the fool's name for Fate

Chance is the fool's name for Fate

Fred Astaire
Of course, Ginger was able to accomplish sex through dance. We told more through our movements instead of the big clinch. We did it all in the dance.

Of course, Ginger was able to accomplish sex through dance. We told more through our movements instead of the big clinch. We did it all in the dance.

Fred Astaire
I am bit sending messages with my feet. All I ever wanted was not to come up empty. I did it for the dough and the old applause.

I am bit sending messages with my feet. All I ever wanted was not to come up empty. I did it for the dough and the old applause.

Fred Astaire
Oh, God! That boy moves in a very exceptional way. That's the greatest dancer of the century.

Oh, God! That boy moves in a very exceptional way. That's the greatest dancer of the century.

Fred Astaire
If the dance is right, there shouldn't be a single superfluous movement.

If the dance is right, there shouldn't be a single superfluous movement.

Fred Astaire
If your gonna go down, go down swinging!

If your gonna go down, go down swinging!

Fred Astaire
If we followed our own advice, we'd be successful.

If we followed our own advice, we'd be successful.

Fred Astaire

When working on my choreography I am not always receptive to outside suggestions or opinions. I believe that if you have something in mind in the way of a creation, such as a new dance, a sequence, or an effect, you are certain to come up with inaccurate criticism and damaging results if you go around asking for opinions.

Fred Astaire

The unpadded shoulders, the three-buttoned long and boxy coat, the too-short, thin pants, and the thin ties with striped buttoned shirts in dark colors-well, I suppose this may go very well with some personalities but it's not for me. To me, all such look like TV producers. Maybe they want to.

Fred Astaire