--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy…" description: "\"Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I represented the proletariat.\" — Gene Kelly" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg" --- # Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I represented… ![“Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I represented the proletariat.” quote by Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg) > “Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I represented the proletariat.” [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Kelly contrasts his own working‑class image with Astaire’s aristocratic elegance, highlighting class differences in performance personas. **In simple terms:** Class contrast in dance personas. Key Takeaway Embrace your authentic style. Themes class identity performance Mood reflective confident Type comparative personal When to use this quote - stage shows - film choreography - personal branding Key Concepts sociology artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - Do you think class labels limit artistic expression? - How can performers bridge class divides? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex personal histories. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aristocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) [Astaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astaire/) [Astaire Represented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astaire-represented-5410605/) [Fred astaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fred-astaire/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kelly/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Proletariat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proletariat/) [Represented Proletariat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/represented-proletariat-5410606/) ## Related quotes > [If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/if-fred-astaire-is-the-cary-grant-of-dance-i-m-the-marlon-brando/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [As a dancer, obviously, we are all inspired by Michael Jackson, and I always looked up to Gene Kelly. He was a bigger version…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maksim-chmerkovskiy/as-a-dancer-obviously-we-are-all-inspired-by-michael-jackson-and-i/) [Maksim Chmerkovskiy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maksim-chmerkovskiy/) > [I started dancing when I saw Fred Astaire in 'Flying Down to Rio,' at approximately nine years old. Fred Astaire influenced me, more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-donen/i-started-dancing-when-i-saw-fred-astaire-in-flying-down-to-rio-at/) [Stanley Donen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-donen/) > [I loved Fred Astaire's way of dancing. He led you into the dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/i-loved-fred-astaire-s-way-of-dancing-he-led-you-into-the-dance/) [Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/) > [What I got, unconsciously, from admiring Fred Astaire was that he didn't want what he was doing to look difficult. What was difficult, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-donen/what-i-got-unconsciously-from-admiring-fred-astaire-was-that-he-didn/) [Stanley Donen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-donen/) > [Over the years, myths were built up about my relationship with Fred Astaire. The general public thought he was a Svengali, who snapped his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-rogers/over-the-years-myths-were-built-up-about-my-relationship-with-fred/) [Ginger Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-rogers/) > [Fred Astaire is my hero. I love him because he was willing to kill himself to make his art look effortless. And because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-willis/fred-astaire-is-my-hero-i-love-him-because-he-was-willing-to-kill/) [Connie Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-willis/) > [Fred Astaire is the Carioca, the Continental, the very Piccolino of romance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fred-astaire-is-the-carioca-the-continental-the-very-piccolino-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/fred-astaire-gene-kelly-donald-o-connor-those-were-my-idols-all-i/) [Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/) > [Did any artist ever bring more pure joy to more people than Fred Astaire?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kroll/did-any-artist-ever-bring-more-pure-joy-to-more-people-than-fred/) [Jack Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kroll/) > [I thought Fred Astaire was the most chic man. I loved the way he dressed. Never mind his dancing, which was beyond - he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-thought-fred-astaire-was-the-most-chic-man-i-loved-the-way-he/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [Fred Astaire was my dream dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/fred-astaire-was-my-dream-dancer/) [Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/) > [I wish I was born in that era: dancing with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, going to work at the studio dressed in beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-zeta-jones/i-wish-i-was-born-in-that-era-dancing-with-fred-astaire-and-gene/) [Catherine Zeta-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-zeta-jones/) > [Obviously, Fred Astaire was a legend. I've tried to copy some of his movements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-moir/obviously-fred-astaire-was-a-legend-i-ve-tried-to-copy-some-of-his/) [Scott Moir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-moir/) > [An uncle I loved got me into Fred Astaire when I was young. We had a scratchy old album of the 'Top Hat' musical.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-fitzgerald/an-uncle-i-loved-got-me-into-fred-astaire-when-i-was-young-we-had-a/) [Tara Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-fitzgerald/) ## More by Gene Kelly > [ The only thing is that ordinarily when I do dance with \[women\] they think I am suddenly going to throw them over a table… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/the-only-thing-is-that-ordinarily-when-i-do-dance-with-women-they/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [In fact, I wasn't going to dance in Xanadu, but several journalists told me that Olivia Newton-John kept saying how sad she was that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/in-fact-i-wasn-t-going-to-dance-in-xanadu-but-several-journalists/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I miss the romance. I keep saying this over and over again, but dance follows music. And if the accent today is percussion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-miss-the-romance-i-keep-saying-this-over-and-over-again-but-dance/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I didn't want to move or act like a rich man. I wanted to dance in a pair of jeans. I wanted to dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-didn-t-want-to-move-or-act-like-a-rich-man-i-wanted-to-dance-in-a/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [Things danced on the screen do not look the way they do on the stage. On the stage, dancing is three-dimensional, but a motion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/things-danced-on-the-screen-do-not-look-the-way-they-do-on-the-stage/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/if-fred-astaire-is-the-cary-grant-of-dance-i-m-the-marlon-brando/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [It fit into my scheme of things for many reasons. At the time it was true that male dancers were looked down upon, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/it-fit-into-my-scheme-of-things-for-many-reasons-at-the-time-it-was/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I don't understand the whole concept of doubles. They used to do that in the early sound films in Hollywood, but I thought we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-don-t-understand-the-whole-concept-of-doubles-they-used-to-do-that/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I'll never starve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-ll-never-starve/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [When I would create a dance, I wouldn't have the luxury that ballet people do when they take a piece of music and impose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/when-i-would-create-a-dance-i-wouldn-t-have-the-luxury-that-ballet/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/you-dance-love-and-you-dance-joy-and-you-dance-dreams/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [When Ginger Rogers danced with Astaire, it was the only time in the movies when you looked at the man, not the woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/when-ginger-rogers-danced-with-astaire-it-was-the-only-time-in-the/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I wanted to do new things with dance, adapt it to the motion picture medium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/i-wanted-to-do-new-things-with-dance-adapt-it-to-the-motion-picture/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams. And I know if I can make you smile by jumping over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/you-dance-love-and-you-dance-joy-and-you-dance-dreams-and-i-know-if-i/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [Kids talk to me and say they want to do musicals again because they've studied the tapes of the old films. We didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/kids-talk-to-me-and-say-they-want-to-do-musicals-again-because-they/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) [Explore all 57 Gene Kelly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) ## More Aristocracy quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though -- if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) > [Tomorrow every Duchess in London will be waiting to kiss me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramsay-macdonald/tomorrow-every-duchess-in-london-will-be-waiting-to-kiss-me/) [Ramsay MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramsay-macdonald/) > [“Why do these big old country houses always have family portraits in the dining room? Do you really want to eat with someone's gloomy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/why-do-these-big-old-country-houses-always-have-family-portraits-in/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though—if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power … but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-n-aron/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a-2/) [Elaine N. Aron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-n-aron/) > [Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Books, the oldest and the best, stand naturally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/books-are-the-treasured-wealth-of-the-world-and-the-fit-inheritance/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We stand a better chance with aristocracy, whether hereditary or elective, than with monarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-stiles/we-stand-a-better-chance-with-aristocracy-whether-hereditary-or/) [Ezra Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-stiles/) > [ The law for religious freedom... \[has\]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-down-the-aristocracy-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Common sense, in so far as it exists, is all for the bourgeoisie. Nonsense is the privilege of the aristocracy. The worries of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-jean-nathan/common-sense-in-so-far-as-it-exists-is-all-for-the-bourgeoisie/) [George Jean Nathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-jean-nathan/) [Browse all 426 Aristocracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I represented the proletariat.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gene Kelly" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy-i-represented-the-proletariat/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aristocracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy-i-represented-the-proletariat/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76f/gene-kelly-11878_aristocracy_fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy_1483211.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I represented the proletariat.” — Gene Kelly", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gene Kelly", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Fred Astaire represented the aristocracy, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy-i-represented-the-proletariat/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/fred-astaire-represented-the-aristocracy-i-represented-the-proletariat/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```