Fred Astaire was a very good dancer.

A good dancer- yes, a great actor- no.

All right, the guy could dance, but he was a totally unconvincing actor (except in his non-dancing role in On the Beach), and a notably weak singer. And you know the enduring riddle: What's old, wrinkled and smells like ginger?

whenever he's on tv i can't help but just watch. one of the best dancers i have ever seen (duh)

The best dancer in the movies of all time. He was innovative, a perfectionist and sheer class. I read a biography on him and he seemed a wonderful person and I hoped his second marriage to Robyn Smith was happy. However, I doubt this was the case after reading what Robyn has done since Fred's death. I was appalled to read that Robyn has filed lawsuit, after lawsuit, after lawsuit to gain money off Fred's name, to the point where Fred's own daughter did not have her permission to publicly view her own father's work. Here is where you can read about what Robyn Smith Astaire has done to destroy the Astaire family and good name: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/060298/ent_she.s html

You can't beat Fred. GO aheah and go home. It's impossible. Did you see his work on the flinstones. brilliant. this man is my god. and hi sidekick barny should be up for a golden globe.

Fred was an all around entertainer! And I think he was great! His performance in Easter Parade with my all time favorite actress Judy Garland was fantastic! Fred was simply one of the best!

I ADORE Fred Astaire!

Elegance, grace, agile and wonderful. They haven't created words to aptly describe the magic Mr. Astaire brought to the screen. He was something rare and beautiful and thank God someone had the good sense to preserve his work so millions may continue to enjoy his many talents way into the future.

Now here's one of my all-time heroes.I've been an enormous fan since first seeing a season of his films when i was 15.I expected some old boring ballroom-dancing fuddy-duddy;Some misconception!.He was enthralling,astounding,scintillating,so likeable, easy-going and graceful.I was enchanted.The screen itself seemed to melt.The years haven't dimmed his magic.Top Hat,The Band Wagon and Swing Time are 3 of the 5 best ever musicals.His solo routines are simply breathtaking,his elegance,his inventiveness and use of props unequalled.So many great and famous partners- Ginger Rogers, Cyd Charisse,Audrey Hepburn,Judy Garland,Rita Hayworth..and with all he was wonderful.Not the greatest voice,but he sure knew how to carry a tune;Irving Berlin,Cole Porter and Jerome Kern were all delighted by his timing and delivery of their songs.The ultimate perfectionist,who made it look so effortless.For once the old cliche is true,they really don't make them like that any more!

is it true that he was once dismissed as someone who "couldn't sing or dance. Can act a little" or something close to that evaluation?

I have always loved watching a Fred Astaire movie. So what if the plots were sometimes paper thin.He was a wonderful dancer.He was so inventive in the dances he performed. I loved it when he " danced on the ceiling" He made dancing look so effortless { when I know it is a lot of hard work}I remember thinking " gosh i wish I could dance like FRed Astaire"

Some people would say I'm too young to appreciate the work of classic actors such as Fred Astaire. But I have a constant eye on Turner Classic Movies, always looking for more from him. He was an extraordinary actor, dancer, and singer. His smooth tap dancing made me want to learn to tap. I just wish today's society could like movies again that had the clean fun of the Fred and Ginger movies.

Quite apart from his superb dancing, his singing of tunes by writers such as Irving Berlin and Cole Porter provide the definitive versions of these songs. And who can forget his poignant performance in On The Beach?

Can you really say Astaire was an actor? He was a consumate entertainer, but he was a lightweight when he tried a dramatic role. I'll remember him always dancing with Ginger.

For acting alone it would be a 4, but his dancing ability gives me no choice but to give him 5 stars. He was ultra smooth and graceful in the extreme.