--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not…" description: "\"No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.\" — Mikhail Baryshnikov" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg" --- # No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all… ![“No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.” quote by Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg) > “No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.” [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing a master performer reveals that one's true calling may differ from current work. **In simple terms:** Seeing greatness shows we might belong elsewhere. Key Takeaway Reevaluate your career path. Themes career selfdiscovery art identity inspiration Mood reflective inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career change - creative pursuits - personal growth - job dissatisfaction - talent development Key Concepts soul calling authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What talents are you ignoring? - How can you explore new fields while employed? A Different Perspective Even if inspired, practical constraints may limit a switch. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) [Dancing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancing/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [What do dancers think of Fred Astaire? It's no secret. We hate him. He gives us a complex because he's too perfect. His perfection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/what-do-dancers-think-of-fred-astaire-it-s-no-secret-we-hate-him-he/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I remember vividly seeing 'Tarzan' and Fred Astaire, the Chaplin films, Fred Astaire musicals, MGM, because of my mother. She was just interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-remember-vividly-seeing-tarzan-and-fred-astaire-the-chaplin-films/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [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/) > [“She'd always imagined an autumn wedding: russet leaves and black velvets and dancing to Fred Astaire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-gaynor/she-d-always-imagined-an-autumn-wedding-russet-leaves-and-black/) [Hazel Gaynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-gaynor/) > [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/) > [Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-whittlesey/remember-ginger-rogers-did-everything-fred-astaire-did-but-backwards/) Faith Whittlesey > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I guess the only jewels of my life were the pictures I made with Fred Astaire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-hayworth/i-guess-the-only-jewels-of-my-life-were-the-pictures-i-made-with-fred/) [Rita Hayworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-hayworth/) > [I felt Michael Jackson was inspired a little bit more from the elegance of a Fred Astaire. Michael loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-ortega/i-felt-michael-jackson-was-inspired-a-little-bit-more-from-the/) [Kenny Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-ortega/) > [ “Sure, \[Fred Astaire\] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything that he did… backwards and in high heels.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thaves/sure-fred-astaire-was-great-but-don-t-forget-that-ginger-rogers-did/) Robert Thaves ## More by Mikhail Baryshnikov > [I am not the first straight dancer or the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-am-not-the-first-straight-dancer-or-the-last/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [Working is living to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/working-is-living-to-me/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I was always interested in photography and other forms of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-was-always-interested-in-photography-and-other-forms-of-art/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [In the second part of life you get rid of stuff you've accumulated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/in-the-second-part-of-life-you-get-rid-of-stuff-you-ve-accumulated/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [You don't measure life by receiving awards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/you-don-t-measure-life-by-receiving-awards/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [No one is born a dancer. You have to want it more than anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/no-one-is-born-a-dancer-you-have-to-want-it-more-than-anything/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I want to do exactly what I want to do. I'd rather gamble on the box office than beg for a grant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-want-to-do-exactly-what-i-want-to-do-i-d-rather-gamble-on-the-box/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I always had a kind of strange relationship with New York City, with total love affair in the beginning then retreat during the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-always-had-a-kind-of-strange-relationship-with-new-york-city-with/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [Running a company is pretty demanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/running-a-company-is-pretty-demanding/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I like the most provocative and most surprising partnerships on stage. Intensity and surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-like-the-most-provocative-and-most-surprising-partnerships-on-stage/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [When a body moves, it's the most revealing thing. Dance for me a minute, and I'll tell you who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/when-a-body-moves-it-s-the-most-revealing-thing-dance-for-me-a-minute/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I - you know, I'm not an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-you-know-i-m-not-an-actor/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [If your only dance experience is the Nutcracker, it will be a shock; hopefully shocking in a good way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/if-your-only-dance-experience-is-the-nutcracker-it-will-be-a-shock/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [People dance at any age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/people-dance-at-any-age/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to to dance better than myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-do-not-try-to-dance-better-than-anyone-else-i-only-try-to-to-dance/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) [Explore all 128 Mikhail Baryshnikov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) ## More Astaire quotes > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-think-however-that-astaire-s-coordination-is-better-than-kelly-s/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](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/) > [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/) > [ “Sure, \[Fred Astaire\] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything that he did… backwards and in high heels.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thaves/sure-fred-astaire-was-great-but-don-t-forget-that-ginger-rogers-did/) 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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-ortega/i-felt-michael-jackson-was-inspired-a-little-bit-more-from-the/) [Kenny Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-ortega/) > [I guess the only jewels of my life were the pictures I made with Fred Astaire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-hayworth/i-guess-the-only-jewels-of-my-life-were-the-pictures-i-made-with-fred/) [Rita Hayworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-hayworth/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-astaire/there-comes-a-day-when-people-begin-to-say-why-doesn-t-that-old/) [Fred Astaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-astaire/) > [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 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/) > [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/) > [Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-whittlesey/remember-ginger-rogers-did-everything-fred-astaire-did-but-backwards/) 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…](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/) > [“She'd always imagined an autumn wedding: russet leaves and black velvets and dancing to Fred Astaire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-gaynor/she-d-always-imagined-an-autumn-wedding-russet-leaves-and-black/) [Hazel Gaynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-gaynor/) Browse all 85 Astaire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mikhail Baryshnikov" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not-know-that-we-all-should-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Astaire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not-know-that-we-all-should-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dec/mikhail-baryshnikov-3526_astaire_no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not_3102551.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.” — Mikhail Baryshnikov", "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": "Mikhail Baryshnikov", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "No dancer can watch Fred Astaire...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not-know-that-we-all-should-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/no-dancer-can-watch-fred-astaire-and-not-know-that-we-all-should-have/#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 } } ] } ```