Fred Astaire is my real idol.

I think, however, that Astaire's coordination is better than Kelly's... his sense of rhythm is uncanny. Kelly, on the other hand, is the stronger…

— Cyd Charisse

As a dancer, obviously, we are all inspired by Michael Jackson, and I always looked up to Gene Kelly. He was a bigger version…

— Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Obviously, Fred Astaire was a legend. I've tried to copy some of his movements.

— Scott Moir

“Sure, [Fred Astaire] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything that he did… backwards and in high heels.”

— Robert Thaves

I felt Michael Jackson was inspired a little bit more from the elegance of a Fred Astaire. Michael loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and James…

— Kenny Ortega

I guess the only jewels of my life were the pictures I made with Fred Astaire.

— Rita Hayworth

If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.

— Gene Kelly

I wish I was born in that era: dancing with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, going to work at the studio dressed in beautiful…

— Catherine Zeta-Jones

There comes a day when people begin to say, 'Why doesn't that old duffer retire?' I want to get out while they're still saying…

— Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire was my dream dancer.

— Debbie Reynolds

I thought Fred Astaire was the most chic man. I loved the way he dressed. Never mind his dancing, which was beyond - he…

— Polly Allen Mellen

Did any artist ever bring more pure joy to more people than Fred Astaire?

— Jack Kroll

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.

— Faith Whittlesey

Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor - those were my idols. All I ever wanted to be was a motion picture song-and-dance man. I…

— Ken Berry

“She'd always imagined an autumn wedding: russet leaves and black velvets and dancing to Fred Astaire.”

— Hazel Gaynor